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Baseball Blogs Weigh In: Matt Murton

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Yesterday, Tim asked the question, "Who Wants Matt Murton?" As we await the answer to that question, only one thing is clear, the Cubs don’t. Surprising for a player that is only 26 and PECOTA projects to have an .821 OPS, 19.8 VORP and 2.4 WARP in 2008 assuming he can find a team that will give him big league at bats. With only two years of service time, Murton is still a year from arbitration and four years from free agency, so he should be able to command a solid relief pitcher in return. Let’s take a look at what is being said about Murton in the Blogophere.

  • Hire Jim Essian wonders how Murton ended up in this position and finds it hard to believe that Jim Hendry hasn’t been able to swing a deal yet if they knew that Murton was not part of the equation.
  • Cobra Brigade sees the way the Cubs have handled Murton as just another example of how the Cubs don’t know how to handle pretty much anything. They believe that Murton could be a solid contributor with an AL club as an everyday left fielder.
  • Snobs vs Slobs is not really sure why the Cubs essentially dropped Murton for Reed Johnson, noting that Johnson is an average defensive outfielder and not nearly the bat of Murton.
  • Mets Fever feels that Aaron Heilman is too big a price for Murton.
  • Talking Chop believes that Murton could be a nice addition to the Braves, filling the need for an experienced bat with pop off the bench.
  • DRays Bay acknowledges that the Rays would prefer a switch-hitting center fielder, but doesn’t think they could find one that hits as well as Murton.

Cork Gaines writes for Rays Index and can be reached here.

Cubs Sign Reed Johnson

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1:48pm: The Chicago Tribune says the deal is for $1.3MM.  BP’s Nate Silver weighs in on the move here.

12:35pm: Levine now reports that the Cubs have signed Johnson.  For a team focused on winning now, it’s not a bad move.  Only drawback might be the Murton situation.  Meanwhile, Evan Grant says the Rangers reduced their demands for Marlon Byrd but the Cubs still decided to pass.

11:41am: It’s all Reed Johnson, all the time here at MLBTR.  Bruce Levine of ESPN 1000 says the Cubs will make a contract offer to Johnson once he clears waivers about twenty minutes from now.  Cubs GM Jim Hendry has already been in contact with Arn Tellem, Johnson’s agent.  Matt Murton might be the odd man out if the Cubs complete the signing.  I’ll update this post if more info rolls in today.

Baseball Blogs Weigh In: Reed Johnson

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On Sunday the Jays released Reed Johnson, but he will not remain unemployed long as several teams need help in the outfield or on the bench. Ken Rosenthal notes that the Cubs, Red Sox, Rays and Rangers have shown interest in Johnson, while Jim Baubach added the Mets to the equation. That is a lot of interest in a player that has 42 home runs, 28 steals and a career OPS+ of 95 in 4.5 seasons. Then again, with one week prior to the regular season, there are not a lot of options available. It’s not like a player that posted a 170 OPS+ in 2007 is available…Oh wait…Never mind…Let’s take a look at what is being written about Johnson in the Blogosphere.

  • Mets Geek believes that Johnson is exactly what the Mets need, noting that he would be the right-handed bat that the bottom of the Mets order desperately needs. They also like his defense and the fact that he comes without having to surrender players.
  • MetsBlog is not convinced that Johnson is much of an upgrade over Angel Pagan or Brady Clark and feels the Mets prefer Xavier Nady but are content with Pagan if Nady cannot be acquired.
  • MetsMerized was against trading for Johnson but doesn’t see how Omar Minaya can pass on signing him now.
  • Baseball Crank sees Johnson as a good fit for the Mets, noting that he has a solid career line against lefties, but concedes that what little power he has shown came at the hitter-friendly Skydome, or whatever they are calling it these days.
  • Cobra Brigade sees the Cubs signing either Johnson or Jeff DaVanon, whichever comes at the cheaper price.
  • Crawley’s Cub Kingdom feels the Cubs are going to make a deal and that a player like Johnson may fit better than a Coco Crisp or Marlon Byrd, both of whom may complain about playing time and impede the progress of Felix Pie.

Cork Gaines writes for Rays Index and can be reached here.

Mets Like Reed Johnson

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Yesterday both Ken Rosenthal and Jayson Stark named the Cubs as the team in hardest on Reed Johnson.  Meanwhile Joel Sherman and Bart Hubbuch indicated the Mets weren’t terribly interested.

Jim Baubach of Newsday sings a different tune this morning.  He says the Mets had internal discussions about Johnson planned for yesterday, and Omar Minaya admitted he was an attractive, affordable option.

Johnson makes sense for both clubs, though the Mets may have better internal options for a fourth outfielder.

Cubs Outfield Situation: Crisp, Johnson, Byrd

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Quite a bit of info is floating about this evening regarding the Cubs’ quest to add an outfielder.  Let’s put it all together.

  • SI.com’s Jon Heyman names Coco Crisp, Jay Payton, Marlon Byrd, and Brandon Inge as possible targets.  Inge makes the least sense given his salary and the Tigers’ need for him while Curtis Granderson is out.
  • ESPN’s Jayson Stark confirms Ken Rosenthal’s assertion that the Cubs are leading the pack for Reed Johnson.  Stark speculates that such an acquisition could prompt the Cubs to trade Matt Murton. 
  • ESPN’s Peter Gammons says Red Sox scout Allard Baird is currently observing the Cubs.  Other scouts in ’zona are speculating about a Sean Gallagher for Crisp scenario.  Gammons notes that the Red Sox wouldn’t mind getting Murton back, either.  He thinks the Sox are wary of trading Crisp right now though, echoing a sentiment from Buster Olney. 
  • Evan Grant of the Dallas Morning News writes that the Rangers want Murton plus one of Jose Ceda, Gallagher, or Donald Veal for Byrd.  Jim Hendry did recently re-engage the Rangers, according to Grant.

Who Wants Reed Johnson?

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3:40pm: Ken Rosenthal says the Cubs are "showing the heaviest interest" in Johnson.  Johnson does make sense for the Cubs, playing center when the team faces a lefty.  It might hold Felix Pie back slightly, but it’s a win-now move.

Rosenthal says the Red Sox, Rays, and Rangers are the other teams in on Johnson.  It’s definitely surprising to see the Sox and Rangers in the mix as neither club is light on outfielders.

9:40am: If 31 year-old outfielder Reed Johnson clears release waivers, he’s going to be a hot commodity.  Already, the expected three teams have been named as possibilities in their respective newspapers.

  • On Sunday, Joel Sherman characterized the Mets’ interest as "mild at best."  Bart Hubbuch says the Mets are interested but quotes Omar Minaya as saying the Mets will go with internal options.
  • Bruce Miles of the Daily Herald says the Cubs have interest in Johnson, noting that Jim Hendry is likely to make an acquisition this week.  Jeff DaVanon is another (less likely) option. Gordon Wittenmyer says the Cubs would have interest in Johnson if he clears release waivers.
  • Joe Smith connects the Rays to Johnson and DaVanon, though only in speculation.
  • I asked ESPN’s Keith Law how Johnson handled center field.  He said: "I haven’t seen him since the injury, but he could play it every day when I was with Toronto, and he has a plus arm."

Braves Expect Trades

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The Atlanta Journal-Constitution’s David O’Brien talked to Braves GM Frank Wren, and he learned that Wren expects to "make a deal or two."

DOB says the Braves are looking to add a proven bench bat.  They can spare an out of options reliever from the group of Blaine Boyer, Chris Resop, Tyler Yates, and Royce Ring.  O’Brien sees Yates as the one to go.  Catcher Brayan Pena and first baseman Scott Thorman are other possible trade chips.

As for who’s coming to Atlanta, O’Brien pretty much ruled out Reed Johnson and Robert Fick.  He considers Wes Helms a possibility.  The Orioles and Giants are two teams with veterans to spare, though most are of the overpriced variety. 

Odds and Ends: Braves, Cruz, Breslow

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Some nuggets from today…

  • The Braves look to be the market for a bat off the bench and according to David O’Brien of the Atlanta-Journal Constitution it’s not likely to be a minor name. O’Brien asked Wren if the Braves "had money to add a player of significant salary to their payroll," throwing out an accompanying figure of $3-4MM, to which Wren said yes "without hesitation." Let’s use this to set the stage for what should be an interesting late spring Reed Johnson sweepstakes.
  • Evan Grant of the The Dallas Morning News believes that Jason Botts 2 for 5 performance on Saturday versus the Mariners has locked up a roster spot for the young DH/1B. Speculation is that Kevin Mench, who can be optioned, would be sent to the minors and that Nelson Cruz could be designated for assignment.
  • MLB.com speculates the ugly spring put up by Aaron Fultz may have played a part in the team’s decision to claim Craig Breslow off  waivers from the Red Sox. Fultz has put up an 11.88 ERA in just over eight innings and last week he gave up four runs on five hits during a performance against Double-A Akron in an intrasquad game last week.

Aaron Shinsano writes for East Windup Chronicle.

Jays Release Reed Johnson

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SUNDAY: According to the Toronto Star, the Jays have released Reed Johnson.  The Jays have to pay $546K of his $3.275MM salary.  Not a huge deal, but non-tendering him several months ago would’ve been better.  Joel Sherman describes the Mets’ interest in Johnson as "mild at best."

SATURDAY: The Globe and Mail’s Jeff Blair refers to "scuttlebutt among scouts" about the Jays placing outfielder Reed Johnson on waivers.  However, J.P. Ricciardi said this was not true.  The Toronto GM said a choice is close regarding Johnson and Shannon Stewart, and both won’t make the team.  The Mets might be a match for Johnson.

I’m surprised by the way the Jays have gone about things in left field this year.  They brought back Matt Stairs, who can pretty much only play left since Frank Thomas and Lyle Overbay own the DH and first base spots.  They’ve got a seemingly Major League ready (and cheap) outfielder in Adam Lind.  They decided to tender a contract to Johnson, something I did not expect.  And then they signed Shannon Stewart on top of it all.  What are the Jays going to do with all these guys? 

Rays Likely To Fill Outfield Void Through Trade

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According to Marc Lancaster, the Rays would prefer to fill their need for a fourth outfielder via trade as opposed to signing a free agent such as Kenny Lofton.

Lancaster notes the Rays are likely to offer one of their surplus of starting pitchers. The Rays have five pitchers competing for the final two spots in the rotation and two of those pitchers (Edwin Jackson and Jason Hammel) are out of options. In addition Lancaster mentions that the Rays have a number of pitching prospects at AA and AAA that could be included in a deal.

The Rays would prefer a player that in addition to regular playing time in right field, can serve as a backup to center fielder BJ Upton. Lancaster lists several players that match this description including Juan Rivera, Reggie Willits, Coco Crisp, Reed Johnson and Ryan Freel. Ken Rosenthal previously said that Willits is untouchable, and Crisp and Johnson seem unlikely as trades rarely occur within a division. The Reds seem like the best fit of this group as they have been rumored to be active in the trade market this off-season for a starting pitcher.

Cork Gaines writes for Rays Index and can be reached here.

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