The market for Reed Johnson

March 24, 2008 · Paul Raymond · Jump to comments

Related Items

Now that the Toronto Blue Jays have released OF Reed Johnson, their is a group of teams that are showing interest. Currently, Johnson is on waivers so not technically able to sign with any team. It’s fully expected that he clears thou as his current contract calls for him to make $3.275 million. Fairly steep for a back-up platoon outfielder. Ken Rosenthal of FoxSports.com lists the Cubs, Red Sox, Rays and Rangers as teams showing interest. Here are some reasons why each team may go after him.

Chicago Cubs – The Cubbies have shown the most interest in Johnson, as they are still looking for a back-up CF to Felix Pie. Ideally, the team would like an outfielder who can play all 3 positions AND platoon with Pie by batting against left handed pitchers. Throughout his career Johnson has played most of his games in the corner outfield positions thou, playing only a fraction in center. He’d fit what the Cubs want thou as his career average against lefties is a .308 with 18 homers and 79 rbis in 5 seasons. In contrast, the 23-year old Felix Pie batted a .111 verse the lefties last season in 36 at bats. So ideally, the Cubs don’t want to expose him all out to them at this point in his career.
Boston Red Sox – I’m not quite sure what level interest they have in Johnson. I can only see them going after him if they somehow find a suitor for Coco Crisp. With Manny Ramirez in left, and JD Drew in right there’s not much room in a star-studded outfield. If Crisp is dealt, then Johnson could be used as Jacoby Ellsbury’s back-up and also spell Drew in right.
Texas Rangers – They to have a crowded outfield, so any signing of Johnson would also be predicated or followed by a trade. It’s known that Texas would like to move Marlon Byrd if the right deal came along. Byrd is also another player the Cubs have been scouting and hoping to add to their outfield. With Josh Hamilton, Byrd, Milton Bradley, and Frank Catalanotto thou maybe the team would look into adding him for even more depth.
Tampa Bay Rays – This team could use the depth. Their outfield consists of Carl Crawford, BJ Upton, Cliff Floyd and Jonny Gomes. One of those is easily going to be the DH on this team next year so Johnson could easily become the teams fourth outfielder and see considerable playing time. With how cheap the Rays are thou I could see this being a long shot.

Ok, so you have to consider the Chicago Cubs the front runners. They’ve got the most need for him and also have been the most persistent in trying to acquire Johnson, or any other outfielder for that matter. Cubs GM Jim Hendry could also be starting to feel the heat for not signing a player yet to fill that role. “We could play with what we have,” he said. “I would feel better about my contributions to the club in Spring Training, if we could add somebody before Opening Day. We’ll be fine with what we have. I made the philosophical decision to wait until now, and I think I need to get that done.” Sounds a lot like someone not to sure about his team.

Feel free to follow us on TWITTER and/or subscribe to our RSS feed.