Per Adam Rubin on Twitter, utility man Kelly Johnson would like to stay in New York. However, as Rubin points out, the Mets glut of backup infielders will prove a big obstacle for him.
Johnson, 34, has been a very important cog in the Mets offense over the past two seasons. He is a reason they have been able to make the playoffs in two consecutive years despite injuries. Traded from the Braves (for the second time) on June 8th, Johnson hit .268 with nine home runs and 24 RBIs in 82 games for the Mets.
He has developed a reputation as a great clutch bat, as in the 8th inning or later after coming to the Mets, he hit .286/.327/.490 with two home runs and seven RBIs in 52 plate appearances. He also provided tremendous flexibility, logging innings at every infield position as well as left field.
Unfortunately for Johnson, the Mets have a very strong infield bench with Jose Reyes or David Wright, depending on who is starting at third base, and Wilmer Flores. They also have T.J. Rivera waiting in the wings in AAA as well as versatile Matt Reynolds who are both much cheaper than bringing back the veteran would be.
I am a Kelly Johnson fan, but I just don’t see the Mets signing him as a free agent this offseason. We will not see him in a Mets uniform again… That is, until we get him from the Braves this summer.
