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Molony’s Latest: Red Sox, Kelly Johnson

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Here’s a look at the latest blog post from MLB.com’s Jim Molony.

  • Molony agrees with previous reports – the Red Sox are eyeing outfield help.  An inquiry on Darin Erstad fizzled, while Mark Kotsay remains on the radar.  Drew might be headed to the DL.
  • The Red Sox might also be eyeing another starter, given Josh Beckett’s injury.  Molony speculates that Kevin Millwood or Vicente Padilla could make sense (both have cleared waivers).
  • Molony expects Braves second baseman Kelly Johnson to be traded this winter.  Johnson, 26, slipped to .264/.333/.405 in 482 plate appearances this year.  He’ll be arbitration-eligible for the first time.

Odds and Ends: Kelly Johnson, Nathan, Crede

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Time for some early Monday odds and ends.

  • Remember how White Sox GM Ron Schueler embarrassed Cubs GM Ed Lynch in 1998 by acquiring Jon Garland for Matt Karchner?  Rany Jazayerli sees a parallel to that heist with the Royals’ acquisition of Daniel Cortes as part of the July ’06 Mike MacDougal trade.
  • Mike Berardino’s blog continues to entertain; this time with a Dan Miceli story.  Ah, knife fights with siblings.  Who among us can say they haven’t had one or two?
  • Buster Olney learned from Braves GM Frank Wren that Kelly Johnson has been the team’s most asked-for player in trade talks this winter.
  • The look on Kyle Kendrick’s face is priceless.
  • Extension talks with the Twins and Joe Nathan have gone dormant.  Nathan still thinks the gap can be bridged but wants it done before the season begins.
  • Andy Marte and Shin-Soo Choo are both out of options; when Choo comes back from elbow surgery a month into the season one of them could be traded.
  • Henry Schulman says the White Sox may accept prospects from the Giants for Joe Crede.
  • Derek Lowe is entering his walk year, and he hasn’t had any extension talks with the Dodgers yet.

Coco Crisp For Kelly Johnson?

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UPDATE: O’Brien spoke to "a person who should know" with the Braves and this one’s not happening.  I think we were all skeptical from the start.

There’s a rumor making the rounds: the Red Sox may offer Coco Crisp to the Braves for Kelly Johnson.  Right now this is fourth-hand information – Buster Olney allegedly said it on a radio show on Wednesday, and one Braves fan heard the report and posted a comment to David O’Brien’s AJC blog.  O’Brien hadn’t heard the rumor himself, but found it plausible.

This is an interesting proposal to examine, whether or not it’s legitimate.  Let’s try to figure out how each team would view this.

Johnson turns 26 in February.  He was a shortstop in the early minors, but had become a left fielder for the Braves when he came up in ’05.  That’s an interesting conversion.  It was likely tied to his elbow, on which he had arthroscopic surgery in early 2006.  The elbow was still barking in May of that year, leading to Tommy John surgery.  After non-tendering Marcus Giles last winter, the Braves had Johnson learn second base and used him there in ’07.  Johnson responded with a breakout .276/.375/.457 line (16 HR, 79 walks in 147 games).  Trading Johnson might be reason to keep Edgar Renteria.  Seems more sensible to trade Renteria. 

Even if the Red Sox aren’t sure where to use Johnson or even whether to keep him, this would be a nice acquisition.  Could his surgically repaired elbow handle demanding throwing positions like third base or even shortstop?  Does he have the range for short and would the Sox move Julio Lugo to the bench?  Or maybe Dustin Pedroia could move back to short for ’08 and Johnson would remain at second base.  Bottom line – Johnson is cheap, good, and could improve the infield somehow.

The Braves won’t try Jeff Francouer in center next year; they’re highly likely to acquire someone to fill Andruw’s void.  Crisp is less risky than most of the free agents out there given the modest $11MM committed to him for 2008-09.  His offense doesn’t add much, while his defense this year has received accolades.  Still, the Braves would be adding more than $4MM in salary for ’08 with this swap.  We aren’t sure yet how much the Braves plan to increase their $84MM payroll.  Adding Tom Glavine would have to cost around $10MM alone, and the Braves want another starter beyond him.

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