Cubs Sign Reed Johnson to 1-Year Deal (Updated)

[ZFan38]

I'd much rather ink Johnson then trade Murton for someone like him or worse (eg, Byrd).

 

EDIT: Was he hurt last season? And if so, what happened?

 

He had a herniated disc in his back.

[Illini Iceman]

How about Jeff DaVanon? Never heard of him. Is he any good?

 

Manager Lou Piniella said that after talking with general manager Jim Hendry this morning, he feels the ``odds increased a little bit today that something could happen [with the roster].''

 

Specifically, switch-hitting center fielder Jeff DaVanon, who has a career .295 batting average and had a good spring, was released by the San Diego Padres, and right-handed hitting outfielder Reed Johnson,who can play all three outfield spots, was released by Toronto.

 

http://www.suntimes.com/sports/baseball/cubs/857360,eyrecubs032308.article

[Post Count Padder]

How about Jeff DaVanon? Never heard of him. Is he any good?

 

Manager Lou Piniella said that after talking with general manager Jim Hendry this morning, he feels the ``odds increased a little bit today that something could happen [with the roster].''

 

Specifically, switch-hitting center fielder Jeff DaVanon, who has a career .295 batting average and had a good spring, was released by the San Diego Padres, and right-handed hitting outfielder Reed Johnson,who can play all three outfield spots, was released by Toronto.

 

http://www.suntimes.com/sports/baseball/cubs/857360,eyrecubs032308.article

Davanon is a 34 year old career back up who got his most playing time for a few years with the Angels. And his career batting average is .259, not .295.

[vance_the_cubs_fan]

I'd prefer Reed Johnson to DeVannon, but I prefer both to trading for crap like Byrd or Payton.

[Rob]

I'd prefer Reed Johnson to DeVannon, but I prefer both to trading for crap like Byrd or Payton.

 

I'd prefer DaVanon to Johnson, but I don't see a huge difference in value between the two. And both are certainly preferable to trading something potentially useful for junk like Jay Payton or Marlon Byrd.

[17 Seconds]

Johnson is 3 years younger and has a much nicer looking career split vs. lefties than Davanon does. I'd uch rather have Johnson.

[Rob]

Johnson is 3 years younger and has a much nicer looking career split vs. lefties than Davanon does. I'd uch rather have Johnson.

 

Projected splits for 2008 (courtesy of Baseball Prospectus)

 

DaVanon:

vs. LHP - .269/.368/.374

vs. RHP - .261/.362/.371

 

Johnson:

vs. LHP - .278/.346/.416

vs. RHP - .256/.314/.369

 

Neither one is a world-beater... but I'd rather have DaVanon. Johnson may be marginally better against lefties... but DaVanon has a huge edge against righties. And since we have to worry about Lou benching Pie if anything goes wrong, I'd at least like to have a backup that isn't only decent on the short-side of a platoon.

[17 Seconds]

I don't really agree with those projections.

 

Also, if either of those guys is used as anything more than a platoon partner, then we're in deep trouble. The fact that DaVanon might be a better-than-Johnson-but-still-pretty-crappy option for full time duties doesn't sweeten the deal any to me.. We'd need help elsewhere if Pie can't even hit enough to stay in the lineup against righties.

[RedFlash]

I don't really agree with those projections.

 

Also, if either of those guys is used as anything more than a platoon partner, then we're in deep trouble. The fact that DaVanon might be a better-than-Johnson-but-still-pretty-crappy option for full time duties doesn't sweeten the deal any to me.. We'd need help elsewhere if Pie can't even hit enough to stay in the lineup against righties.

 

I never understood why people trust projectons, I really don't. There are too many varibles that these projections sites don't take into account and/or don't appreciate. Porjections are fun for the fans, but I highly doubt too many clubs take projections seriously, and that includes Oakland and Boston.

 

With that said, I prefer Johnson over DeVanon.

[TruffleShuffle]

I don't really agree with those projections.

 

Also, if either of those guys is used as anything more than a platoon partner, then we're in deep trouble. The fact that DaVanon might be a better-than-Johnson-but-still-pretty-crappy option for full time duties doesn't sweeten the deal any to me.. We'd need help elsewhere if Pie can't even hit enough to stay in the lineup against righties.

 

I never understood why people trust projectons, I really don't.

 

because they're better than what any random person will do off the top of his or her head.

[RynoRules]

I'd much rather ink Johnson then trade Murton for someone like him or worse (eg, Byrd).

 

EDIT: Was he hurt last season? And if so, what happened?

 

He had a herniated disc in his back.

 

Those injuries scare me. He didn't have great power before he hurt his back. I suppose he can still get on base at a decent clip.

[UK1679666180]

I don't think either one could play CF for an extended period of time. Of course, the lack of a backup CF'er at this stage might have them go that route regardless. Any extended time in CF could expose them, especially at Wrigley.

[Derwood]

I don't really agree with those projections.

 

Also, if either of those guys is used as anything more than a platoon partner, then we're in deep trouble. The fact that DaVanon might be a better-than-Johnson-but-still-pretty-crappy option for full time duties doesn't sweeten the deal any to me.. We'd need help elsewhere if Pie can't even hit enough to stay in the lineup against righties.

 

I never understood why people trust projectons, I really don't. There are too many varibles that these projections sites don't take into account and/or don't appreciate. Porjections are fun for the fans, but I highly doubt too many clubs take projections seriously, and that includes Oakland and Boston.

 

With that said, I prefer Johnson over DeVanon.

 

i didn't either until i started comparing last season's projections against the actual numbers and saw how close they were

[Transmogrified Tiger]

I don't really agree with those projections.

 

Also, if either of those guys is used as anything more than a platoon partner, then we're in deep trouble. The fact that DaVanon might be a better-than-Johnson-but-still-pretty-crappy option for full time duties doesn't sweeten the deal any to me.. We'd need help elsewhere if Pie can't even hit enough to stay in the lineup against righties.

 

I never understood why people trust projectons, I really don't.

 

because they're better than what any random person will do off the top of his or her head.

 

Unless it's a positive projection for a Cubs prospect, right?

[waffle]

They just said on ESPN 1000 that the cubbies are one of 3 teams interested in Reed

[vance_the_cubs_fan]

I don't think either one could play CF for an extended period of time. Of course, the lack of a backup CF'er at this stage might have them go that route regardless. Any extended time in CF could expose them, especially at Wrigley.

 

 

I agree with this. On the other hand, they probably could be passable, and if another CF were needed for a long period of time, the Cubs could likely shift Fukudome there. While he prefers to play RF, I'm sure he'd be willing to shift in the case of an injury that kept Pie out for an extended period. Also, if Pie is out for an extended period, I suppose Fuld could be called up to fill the void.

[vance_the_cubs_fan]

Bruce says the Cubs have more interest in Johnson than they do in DaVannon.

 

Link

[rchap24]

I agree with one of the earlier posts. I much rather have Dannovan or Johnson over Payton or Byrd.

[Post Count Padder]

FOXSports.com's Ken Rosenthal says the Cubs, Red Sox, Rays and Rangers are among the teams showing interest in Reed Johnson.

 

The Cubs have been the top suitor so far. Johnson could be signed as soon as Tuesday or Wednesday. If the Cubs get them, they'd most likely halt their pursuit of Marlon Byrd. The Red Sox would have to resign themselves to dumping Coco Crisp for 10 cents on the dollar if they landed Johnson

[vance_the_cubs_fan]

Here's the direct link to the Rosenthal article.

 

Link.

 

The Cubs are showing the heaviest interest in outfielder Reed Johnson, envisioning him as the right-handed-hitting counterpart to center fielder Felix Pie, major-league sources say.

 

The Red Sox, Rays and Rangers are among the other teams interested in Johnson, sources say, but the Cubs have been the most persistent suitor in early discussions

 

My guess is that we'll see Johnson signed by tomorrow night. If the Red Sox get him, I wouldn't be surprised to see Crisp on his way here as the Sox would certainly have to dump him then.

[rchap24]

Get the job done Jim! This would be a solid pick up....just get it done! Edited March 24, 2008 by rchap24

[vance_the_cubs_fan]

I agree with one of the earlier posts. I much rather have Dannovan or Johnson over Payton or Byrd.

 

Get the job done Jim! This would be a solid pick up....just get it done!

 

Why are you quoting yourself?

[rchap24]

ha clicked on the wrong quote button and didn't notice sorry bout that!

[BigbadB]

I guess I'm game for either one of these guys, but I want to see Pie get the bulk of the playing time, which he should with these guys in the fold.

 

And actually, these two guys don't really threaten Pie's spot on this team. Neither is an above average defender in CF. Both are a risk to hurt themselves. In games where these guys start in Pie's place, Pie should come in late as a defensive replacement. Both are experienced at coming off the bench or spot starting.

 

It's ideal really, at least for those in favor of Pie getting plenty of work in. I sort of like DaVanon's ability to hit from either side of the plate coming off the bench, but I think I might like what Johnson provides in a platoon.

[Derwood]

Johnson:

vs. LHP - .278/.346/.416

vs. RHP - .256/.314/.369

 

that's a pretty low projection for a guy with a career OBP over .370 against LHP