For the second consecutive season in 2016, the New York Mets traded for Kelly Johnson when they were in need of a super utility type player. As Johnson remains on the open market, it is worth wondering if the team yet again may have a need for the versatile player.
Jonson has always seemed to be a clutch player while with the Mets, delivering some key hits to propel the team to victory. He has the ability to play multiple positions and is a useful player in many ways. For the first time though in what seems awhile, the team’s current depth in the infield and outfield may negate their need to bring him back.
Johnson again split time between the Mets and Atlanta Braves in 2016. His production with the Mets far outweighed his production with the Braves as he hit to a .268/.328/.459 batting line to go along with nine homers and 24 RBI while appearing in 82 games.
In his 49 games with the Braves last season, Johnson hit a disappointing .215/.273/.289 with just one homer and 10 RBI. KJ just seems to turn it on a bit more when playing in New York and has been a welcomed addition over the last two seasons.
If and when the Mets trade Jay Bruce, there is the possibility for Johnson to be a fifth outfielder as he has the ability to play the corners. Kelly played nine games in left field last season and is an adequate enough fielder to play the position if needed.
In the infield, Johnson again would provide depth to a plethora of players who are either coming off surgery or typically deal with nagging injuries during a long 162-game season. David Wright, Lucas Duda, Neil Walker and Wilmer Flores are all coming off surgery as they enter 2017.
Asdrubal Cabrera and Jose Reyes also tend to deal with injuries during the course of a season. Johnson would be sure to get some playing time in the event that some of these players are unable to make it through a whole year or land on the DL.
Johnson is the type of player that can provide a great spark off the bench and has shown his ability to do so in key spots numerous times over the last two seasons. He will not cost a lot to bring back and a player of his caliber is always worth having around. Worse comes to worse, the Mets could always just trade for him for the third consecutive season near the trading deadline….
