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

[CubsWin]

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.

I agree.

 

I like that the Cubs are not talking about somebody like Crisp right now. He would be a guy who could be seen as challenging Pie for his starting job, and I think it is important for Felix to know that the job is his, at least in a platoon in which he sees a vast majority of the action.

 

Johnson's splits against lefties are preferable to Davannon's and that is what really matters here. The Cubs have Ward as the primary pinch hitter against righties, and he's proven to be dependable.

 

Murton is the 4th OFer and would take over RF with Fukudome in CF if Pie were to get injured. So considering who would make the better starting CFer between Johnson and Davannon is pointless.

 

Go sign Reed Johnson, Jim. A bench of Ward, Murton, Johnson, Fontenot and Blanco ain't bad.

[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.

 

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

 

yes, then it's probably wrong.

[TruffleShuffle]

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

 

that's because he (a) is past his prime, (b) sucked ass last year, and © has a career BABIP of .339 against LHP.

[craig]

Prospectus is just a formula. As truffle just mentioned, age and last year factor in, so both contribute to a projection that he'll do less than his career average.

 

I'm not sure what time Johnson spent on the DL, if any. Doesn't the prospectus formula have some DL factor included, which is also a depresser?

 

Point being, prospectus doesn't spent years and years studying Reed Johnson. It comes up with a formula based on a lot of past guys. But a few scouts can spend some focused time on Johnson. Is he healthy, or not? If he was hurt last year and is healthy now, that could explain why they'd be OK that he stunk last year and expect that he'll be better this year. Prospectus formula can't do that.

 

On Davannon, I don't imagine that he's close to Johnson defensively in CF. Johnson is not that hot I don't think, but I beliee Davannon is considerably worse.

 

Also, for subs, I think fielding percentage in a sense does factor in. If a guy knows what he's doing, but is short a little bit on range, that's more acceptable than if he's a butcher on par with Jake Fox at catcher. It's possible that while Johnson might not be Pie-caliber, that he wouldn't be a big problem to put him out there, especially in Wrigley which has limited space. But Davannon might be so poor that Lou just wouldn't ever use him out there.

[JGalt73]

We're hearing that no team is more interested in recently released Toronto outfielder Reed Johnson than the Cubs, assuming he clears waivers Tuesday. Two baseball men we spoke with Monday described Johnson as "the perfect fit" for the Cubs, who have looked diligently for a right-handed bat off the bench who can play center field. If the Cubs do reel in Johnson, it could free them to trade Matt Murton in the next few days. We're hearing that the Mets, who have scouted Johnson extensively, are not interested.

[javy knows my name]

Prospectus is just a formula. As truffle just mentioned, age and last year factor in, so both contribute to a projection that he'll do less than his career average.

 

I'm not sure what time Johnson spent on the DL, if any. Doesn't the prospectus formula have some DL factor included, which is also a depresser?

 

Point being, prospectus doesn't spent years and years studying Reed Johnson. It comes up with a formula based on a lot of past guys. But a few scouts can spend some focused time on Johnson. Is he healthy, or not? If he was hurt last year and is healthy now, that could explain why they'd be OK that he stunk last year and expect that he'll be better this year. Prospectus formula can't do that.

 

On Davannon, I don't imagine that he's close to Johnson defensively in CF. Johnson is not that hot I don't think, but I beliee Davannon is considerably worse.

 

Also, for subs, I think fielding percentage in a sense does factor in. If a guy knows what he's doing, but is short a little bit on range, that's more acceptable than if he's a butcher on par with Jake Fox at catcher. It's possible that while Johnson might not be Pie-caliber, that he wouldn't be a big problem to put him out there, especially in Wrigley which has limited space. But Davannon might be so poor that Lou just wouldn't ever use him out there.

Don't underestimate the difficulty of playing CF in Wrigley. I know Jacque did it pretty well, but that doesn't mean it isn't tougher than average out there (mainly due to the bricks and basket).

[RynoRules]

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

 

His back condition probably accounts for the projection.

[wilk]

And if the Cubs sign Johnson (or acquire DaVanon/Byrd/etc.) what do you do with Murton? Iowa? Traded? (For what?) Squeezed on over a 12th pitcher or an extra infielder?

[USSoccer]

Reed Johnson would be a waste of time.

[craig]

Don't underestimate the difficulty of playing CF in Wrigley. I know Jacque did it pretty well, but that doesn't mean it isn't tougher than average out there (mainly due to the bricks and basket).

 

Those are challenges for anybody. But usually guys are differentiated as premium CFers or iffy based on their speed and range (and arm), not based on their ability to deal with the bricks. Since Johnson profiles as a gritty gung-ho guy, he maybe doesn't have the fear of bricks that somebody like Soriano has, for example. (Maybe he'll be injured after two games, but that's a different story.)

 

Back when we had no CFer and Roosevelt Brown even was discussed, I recall Andy MacP saying that Wrigley has such a small OF, it's less of a problem to have a somewhat slow CFer there than if you're playing in Coors or big-CF parks.

 

So it may be that the inferior speed/range a dude can have relative to the great ones is less of a liability in Wrigley than elsewhere.

[Clem Fandango]

Reed Johnson would be a waste of time.

 

He'd likely be a relatively cheap alternative to fill a position Hendry is hellbent on filling, and allows us to utilize Murton in a trade for something else other than crappy Marlon Byrd. If we sign Reed we can throw Murton in a deal for a better player (if there will be another deal, anyways), since I would assume Murton still has a decent amount of trade value

[CubColtPacer]

Reed Johnson would be a waste of time.

 

I disagree completely.

 

Johnson's production against left-handers is much better than Pie's, which addresses a struggle the Cubs have had for years.

 

Pie's overall numbers also look better if it's not being brought way down by all those left-handers, which makes the Cubs less likely to replace him and gives him a better chance to get a fair shot.

[Tracer Bullet]

Reed Johnson would be a waste of time.

 

He'd likely be a relatively cheap alternative to fill a position Hendry is hellbent on filling, and allows us to utilize Murton in a trade for something else other than crappy Marlon Byrd. If we sign Reed we can throw Murton in a deal for a better player (if there will be another deal, anyways), since I would assume Murton still has a decent amount of trade value

 

I thought Jim's been open to trading Murton ever since he signed Fukudome. Wasn't there a story around the time he made the "life would be easier if Murton were LH" comment that he was trying to trade Matt to a team where he'd have a chance to play?

 

What valuable piece is Murton going to net us? He's never been untouchable, so if the Orioles wanted him for Roberts, that wouldn't have been the hold up. If we get Reed Johnson, I don't think Jim's going to try to get Byrd or Crisp. So what good is it to trade Murton now?

 

At this point, unless we're trading him for an upgrade somewhere (SS, SP), I'd rather have him as a 4th OF than trade him for nothing. If Soriano misses time with leg issues, I'd rather have Murton out there as a 2-3 week fill-in than Reed Johnson.

[Keener98]

Ok could somebody please tell me why we are looking for a RH hitting outfielder, when we have a little red head on the team that mashes left handed pitching? On days we face a lefty why not just move Fukudome to CF, and plug Murton into RF, that seems like the most logical, and most productive alignment we could ask for, but then again this is the Cubs who seem to want nothing to do with Murton for some damn reason.

[Backtobanks]

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.

I agree.

 

I like that the Cubs are not talking about somebody like Crisp right now. He would be a guy who could be seen as challenging Pie for his starting job, and I think it is important for Felix to know that the job is his, at least in a platoon in which he sees a vast majority of the action.

 

Johnson's splits against lefties are preferable to Davannon's and that is what really matters here. The Cubs have Ward as the primary pinch hitter against righties, and he's proven to be dependable.

 

Murton is the 4th OFer and would take over RF with Fukudome in CF if Pie were to get injured. So considering who would make the better starting CFer between Johnson and Davannon is pointless.

 

Go sign Reed Johnson, Jim. A bench of Ward, Murton, Johnson, Fontenot and Blanco ain't bad.

 

 

Cedeno???????

[Backtobanks]

Ok could somebody please tell me why we are looking for a RH hitting outfielder, when we have a little red head on the team that mashes left handed pitching? On days we face a lefty why not just move Fukudome to CF, and plug Murton into RF, that seems like the most logical, and most productive alignment we could ask for, but then again this is the Cubs who seem to want nothing to do with Murton for some damn reason.

 

I totally agree. The one thing that Hendry and Lou share is that they have a habit of totally ignoring certain players (Murton, Cedeno, Marshall) and obsessing over others (Theriot, Roberts) usually without a good reason. As you posted, sliding Fukudome over to CF and using Murton in RF is 1000 times better than signing Johnson or trading for the likes of Payton, Byrd, Willits, etc.

[soapy]

And if the Cubs sign Johnson (or acquire DaVanon/Byrd/etc.) what do you do with Murton? Iowa? Traded? (For what?) Squeezed on over a 12th pitcher or an extra infielder?

I might be miscounting, but 12 pitcher plus the starting 8 position players puts it at 20. 5 bench spots left for Murton, Blanco, Ward, Fontenot/Cedeno/Patterson, and Johnson, no? No "need" to get rid of Murton if they sign Johnson.

 

Am I forgetting someone?

[davearm2]

Seems pretty unlikely that the Cubs will carry only one IF on the bench.

 

You'll see two of Patterson, Fontenot, Cedeno, Cintron make the team.

 

Plus Ward, plus Blanco.

 

That leaves one spot for an OF. Murton or Johnson/other (unless Lou goes with a 6-man pen, which seems highly unlikely IMO).

 

Murton's ticketed out of town -- either to Iowa, or traded.

[jersey cubs fan]

Go sign Reed Johnson, Jim. A bench of Ward, Murton, Johnson, Fontenot and Blanco ain't bad.

 

 

Cedeno???????

 

Yeah, there's no way they go with a bench that has 2 OF, 1 2B, 1 backup catcher and a guy who doesn't have a position. Cedeno, or another IF is going to be on that bench.

[CubinNY]

Reed Johnson would be a waste of time.

 

I disagree completely.

 

Johnson's production against left-handers is much better than Pie's, which addresses a struggle the Cubs have had for years.

 

Pie's overall numbers also look better if it's not being brought way down by all those left-handers, which makes the Cubs less likely to replace him and gives him a better chance to get a fair shot.

I don't like the idea of a platoon partner for Pie. Letting him play only against LHers is not giving him a fair shot. The Cubs have to let him play. This is the same tired old story year after god forsaken year with the Cubs.

Edited March 25, 2008 by CubinNY

[mul21]

And if the Cubs sign Johnson (or acquire DaVanon/Byrd/etc.) what do you do with Murton? Iowa? Traded? (For what?) Squeezed on over a 12th pitcher or an extra infielder?

I might be miscounting, but 12 pitcher plus the starting 8 position players puts it at 20. 5 bench spots left for Murton, Blanco, Ward, Fontenot/Cedeno/Patterson, and Johnson, no? No "need" to get rid of Murton if they sign Johnson.

 

Am I forgetting someone?

 

My only issue with that is unless you keep Cedeno, you don't have a "real" backup SS unless we've all decided that Dero can do it (which is what I think is the best option, and he should be starting there, but whatever).

[Derwood]

i'm all for signing a platoon guy for Pie rather than trading for one (if that's what Hendry is intent on doing).

[TheDude]

Ok could somebody please tell me why we are looking for a RH hitting outfielder, when we have a little red head on the team that mashes left handed pitching? On days we face a lefty why not just move Fukudome to CF, and plug Murton into RF, that seems like the most logical, and most productive alignment we could ask for, but then again this is the Cubs who seem to want nothing to do with Murton for some damn reason.

 

I totally agree. The one thing that Hendry and Lou share is that they have a habit of totally ignoring certain players (Murton, Cedeno, Marshall) and obsessing over others (Theriot, Roberts) usually without a good reason. As you posted, sliding Fukudome over to CF and using Murton in RF is 1000 times better than signing Johnson or trading for the likes of Payton, Byrd, Willits, etc.

 

It's not complicated, really. Murton can't play CF. End of analysis.

[soapy]

And if the Cubs sign Johnson (or acquire DaVanon/Byrd/etc.) what do you do with Murton? Iowa? Traded? (For what?) Squeezed on over a 12th pitcher or an extra infielder?

I might be miscounting, but 12 pitcher plus the starting 8 position players puts it at 20. 5 bench spots left for Murton, Blanco, Ward, Fontenot/Cedeno/Patterson, and Johnson, no? No "need" to get rid of Murton if they sign Johnson.

 

Am I forgetting someone?

 

My only issue with that is unless you keep Cedeno, you don't have a "real" backup SS unless we've all decided that Dero can do it (which is what I think is the best option, and he should be starting there, but whatever).

 

So keep Cedeno. Hasn't Fontenot been getting time at SS? I think you have your backup SS in Cedeno or Fontenot, whoever they keep. Derosa backs up 3B, with Fontenot/Cedeno playing 2B in that scenario. Ward backs up 1B. Murton backs up RF/LF. Johnson backs up Pie. Then Blanco at C. I don't see the problem.

[Springfield_CUBBY]

Reed Johnson would be a waste of time.

 

I disagree completely.

 

Johnson's production against left-handers is much better than Pie's, which addresses a struggle the Cubs have had for years.

 

Pie's overall numbers also look better if it's not being brought way down by all those left-handers, which makes the Cubs less likely to replace him and gives him a better chance to get a fair shot.

I don't like the idea of a platoon partner for Pie. Letting him play only against LHers is not giving him a fair shot. The Cubs have to let him play. This is the same tired old story year after god forsaken year with the Cubs.

Wait . . . you mean RHers, right?? And since that's the majority of pitchers, I'd say that IS a fair shot for Pie. Rest him against LHers (that he's going to do poorly against anyway)and put him in positions that he may well excel in . . .