Blue Jays Release Reed Johnson
To make room for Shannon Stewart on their 40 man roster, the Toronto Blue Jays released outfielder Reed Johnson. When playing hurt last season, Johnson hit .236 in 275 at-bats.
I was opposed before to the Mets making any additional transactions before the start of the season, but if I were Omar Minaya I don't know how i'd pass up a signing like this. Not only can he spell any starting outfielder and give them a day off from time to time, but he'd be the ideal platoon partner with Ryan Church. Johnson hit .308 career against left handed pitching, while Church hits .275 career versus right handed pitching. Church hasn't had much experience hitting against lefties (Only 209 career at-bats against lefties), but if he proves to not be able to be an everyday player this season, the Mets would have Johnson to add another right handed bat to the lineup. When healthy a full season in 2006, Johnson had a .390 OBP with a .319 batting average and 147 hits.
If you were Omar Minaya, would you take on Reed Johnson for a one year deal? Leave your answer in the comments section.
Comments
That could be good but where is there room on the bench? Can't send down any infielders and who would we send down from the OF? Pinch-hit specialist Marlon Anderson? No. Fan-Favorite and speedy defender Endy Chavez? Are you kidding me? No. Or red-hot Angel Pagan who will more than likely start in left for us? Yes, it may make sense until Moises comes back then we have to send someone down and if we option to send Reed down we would probably lose him in waivers. So in the long run, signing Reed Johnson would probably not be a smart idea.
Posted by: Chuckman | March 23, 2008 02:00 PM
He can be signed to a minor league deal. We need someone who can also play some 1B.
Posted by: Christian (MetsMan) | March 23, 2008 02:13 PM
I think he could be given a
minor league deal then bring
him up later in the season
Posted by: Judy B. | March 23, 2008 04:25 PM
From what I hear, you could throw him a 1st base mitt and he would go out there and do his best with no complaints and go 100% every play.
Maybe Moises isn't coming back...
It's rumored he has become one big bandage and any further stress would cause him to totally unravel...
He may be a great hitter but that does the Mets no good if he can't be on the field. If not Johnson maybe the Pirates would deal Nady.The question is what they would want.Johnson may be the cheaper alternative...
Posted by: Adam Baker | March 23, 2008 07:47 PM
I'm sure he would give 1B a try if asked but still he has no 1B experience in pro ball at either the major or minor league levels.
Posted by: Christian (MetsMan) | March 23, 2008 08:40 PM
I dunno why you guys are worried about 1B. Delgado is back in there and isn't looking at that bad so far.
Posted by: Travis Graham | March 24, 2008 08:19 AM
We still need a reserve first base man none the less.
Reed johnson's a good player...so minor league deal?
Posted by: Satish Ram | March 24, 2008 10:27 AM
The Cubs have already signed him, but i think it was good for the mets to pass him up, they already have internal options for 1st base w/ Tatis, Clark, and even Anderson.And with what Clark and Tais have been showin this spring, one of them is destined to make the team out of spring training
Posted by: Avi | March 26, 2008 11:01 AM