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

[jersey cubs fan]

Good move in signing Johnson. I hope that we don't trade Murton just for the hell of it. I actually like both Murton and Johnson on the bench.

 

I don't see how that is possible.

 

The only way that happens is if they go with 1 backup middle infielder, and I don't see anyway they pull that off.

 

Unless they wise up and go to 11 pitchers.

[XZero771679666304]

1.3 million. Not bad.

[jersey cubs fan]

People say our bench is weak but I don't see it...

 

Ward

R. Johnson/Pie

Murton

Cedeno

Blanco

 

Sure, that bench can hit a little. But it has 1 backup infielder, and there's no way they start the season that way.

[jersey cubs fan]

1.3 million. Not bad.

 

Something tells me he's going to do more than spell Felix against tough lefties.

[XZero771679666304]

People say our bench is weak but I don't see it...

 

Ward

R. Johnson/Pie

Murton

Cedeno

Blanco

 

Sure, that bench can hit a little. But it has 1 backup infielder, and there's no way they start the season that way.

 

I still see something else going down before too long. I think Murton and possibly Marquis are headed out.

 

We know at least 3 of those 5 aren't going anywhere, and there has to be another backup IF. That doesn't leave too many options.

[UMFan83]

People say our bench is weak but I don't see it...

 

Ward

R. Johnson/Pie

Murton

Cedeno

Blanco

 

Sure, that bench can hit a little. But it has 1 backup infielder, and there's no way they start the season that way.

 

Ward - 1B, RF

Johnson - LF, CF, RF

Murton - LF, RF

Cedeno - 2B, SS, CF, 3B(?)

Cintron - 2B, 3B, SS

Blanco - C, 1B

 

I forgot about Cintron, but not sure if they will take 6 bench guys.

[XZero771679666304]

1.3 million. Not bad.

 

Something tells me he's going to do more than spell Felix against tough lefties.

 

If Felix does poorly. I just think Hendry and Lou anticipate him failing. Unfortunately, that probably means they'll pull the plug on him too early.

[BigbadB]

So much for EPatt making the roster.

 

I'm happy about Johnson when faced with the possibilities of one of Coco Crisp, Jay Payton, Marlon Byrd and Reggie Willits stealing time away from Pie.

 

I have to admit that I'm troubled by what becomes of Murton, and Cedeno for that matter.

[Transmogrified Tiger]

I like this for a number of reasons. Johnson can hit against LHP, and didn't have too much of a split aside from last year when he was hurt. He's RH and doesn't have the reputation that might allow him to get more AB's at Pie's expense(like DaVanon or maybe Byrd would), and he's got a strong arm(Wrigley's short alleys and our strong defensive corner OF's can help shield him in CF).

[Post Count Padder]

Thank you. If this ends the ridiculous Byrd rumors I'll be even happier.

[RynoRules]

Happy to have him, just worried about his health and ability to drive the ball after herniating a disc in his back.

[JGalt73]

BP's Christina Kahrl weighs in...

 

Johnny (Champaign, IL): How do you think Reed Johnson fits with the Cubs?

 

Christina Kahrl: For better or for worse, he's actually a better spare part to have in this particular outfield than Matt Murton, but that's because Murton's just not much of an outfielder, and is especially stretched for right, even if Murton has much more offensive up-side. That, plus Johnson's more of a contact hitter, and that tends to get treated with more respect in a reserve role than Murton's more broad-based offensive skills. So, it's a weird proposition, in that Murton's more valuable and someone you'd rather have in the abstract, but in terms of bench-building, Johnson is probably the better bit part.

[imb]

BP's Christina Kahrl weighs in...

 

Johnny (Champaign, IL): How do you think Reed Johnson fits with the Cubs?

 

Christina Kahrl: For better or for worse, he's actually a better spare part to have in this particular outfield than Matt Murton, but that's because Murton's just not much of an outfielder, and is especially stretched for right, even if Murton has much more offensive up-side. That, plus Johnson's more of a contact hitter, and that tends to get treated with more respect in a reserve role than Murton's more broad-based offensive skills. So, it's a weird proposition, in that Murton's more valuable and someone you'd rather have in the abstract, but in terms of bench-building, Johnson is probably the better bit part.

 

Agreed.

 

I wonder what happens with Murton now? Package him in a deal for a lefty reliever?

[Andy]

Good pickup. Reed's a good guy to have off the bench.

[vance_the_cubs_fan]

Murton for Felipe Lopez?

[KingCubsFan]

People say our bench is weak but I don't see it...

 

Ward

R. Johnson/Pie

Murton

Cedeno

Blanco

 

Sure, that bench can hit a little. But it has 1 backup infielder, and there's no way they start the season that way.

 

I still see something else going down before too long. I think Murton and possibly Marquis are headed out.

 

We know at least 3 of those 5 aren't going anywhere, and there has to be another backup IF. That doesn't leave too many options.

Or we could just move DeRosa around every game

[craig]

Good move in signing Johnson. I hope that we don't trade Murton just for the hell of it. I actually like both Murton and Johnson on the bench.

 

I don't see how that is possible. The only way that happens is if they go with 1 backup middle infielder, and I don't see anyway they pull that off. ....

 

With the normal 5-man bench, if one is a catcher and you burn one on a 1B-man (Ward), that leaves you 3 guys to cover infield and outfield. Either it's one outfielder (Johnson covering all three spots, supplemented by Ward or Cedeno), and two infielders (Cedeno and Cintron). Or it's one infielder (Cedeno) and two outfielders (Murton and Johnson).

 

Personally I don't see why going with Cedeno only wouldn't be just fine.

[Outshined_One]

BP's Christina Kahrl weighs in...

 

Johnny (Champaign, IL): How do you think Reed Johnson fits with the Cubs?

 

Christina Kahrl: For better or for worse, he's actually a better spare part to have in this particular outfield than Matt Murton, but that's because Murton's just not much of an outfielder, and is especially stretched for right, even if Murton has much more offensive up-side. That, plus Johnson's more of a contact hitter, and that tends to get treated with more respect in a reserve role than Murton's more broad-based offensive skills. So, it's a weird proposition, in that Murton's more valuable and someone you'd rather have in the abstract, but in terms of bench-building, Johnson is probably the better bit part.

 

Tree?

[vance_the_cubs_fan]

Good move in signing Johnson. I hope that we don't trade Murton just for the hell of it. I actually like both Murton and Johnson on the bench.

 

I don't see how that is possible. The only way that happens is if they go with 1 backup middle infielder, and I don't see anyway they pull that off. ....

 

With the normal 5-man bench, if one is a catcher and you burn one on a 1B-man (Ward), that leaves you 3 guys to cover infield and outfield. Either it's one outfielder (Johnson covering all three spots, supplemented by Ward or Cedeno), and two infielders (Cedeno and Cintron). Or it's one infielder (Cedeno) and two outfielders (Murton and Johnson).

 

Personally I don't see why going with Cedeno only wouldn't be just fine.

 

I'd rather have a bench of Johnson, Blanco, Ward, Fontenot, and Murton than a bench of Johnson, Blanco, Ward, Fontenot, and Cedeno.

[RynoRules]

Murton for Felipe Lopez?

 

I might get savaged for saying it, but I could live with that deal if only because Lopez is an upgrade (however slight) at SS over Theriot, IMO. I don't see why the Nats would do it though. They already have Kearns, Milledge, and Dukes.

[Brian]

BP's Christina Kahrl weighs in...

 

Johnny (Champaign, IL): How do you think Reed Johnson fits with the Cubs?

 

Christina Kahrl: For better or for worse, he's actually a better spare part to have in this particular outfield than Matt Murton, but that's because Murton's just not much of an outfielder, and is especially stretched for right, even if Murton has much more offensive up-side. That, plus Johnson's more of a contact hitter, and that tends to get treated with more respect in a reserve role than Murton's more broad-based offensive skills. So, it's a weird proposition, in that Murton's more valuable and someone you'd rather have in the abstract, but in terms of bench-building, Johnson is probably the better bit part.

 

Tree?

 

I was gonna say is that our Johnny from Champaign... I gotta imagine the amount of Johnny's in Champaign that read BP has to be pretty low.

[BigbadB]

Murton for Felipe Lopez?

 

I might get savaged for saying it, but I could live with that deal if only because Lopez is an upgrade (however slight) at SS over Theriot, IMO. I don't see why the Nats would do it though. They already have Kearns, Milledge, and Dukes.

 

They also have Wily Mo Pena, Ryan Langerhans, Willie Harris and Rob Mackowiak. I would think Washington would want some pitching if they were going to make a deal.

[jersey cubs fan]

Good move in signing Johnson. I hope that we don't trade Murton just for the hell of it. I actually like both Murton and Johnson on the bench.

 

I don't see how that is possible. The only way that happens is if they go with 1 backup middle infielder, and I don't see anyway they pull that off. ....

 

With the normal 5-man bench, if one is a catcher and you burn one on a 1B-man (Ward), that leaves you 3 guys to cover infield and outfield. Either it's one outfielder (Johnson covering all three spots, supplemented by Ward or Cedeno), and two infielders (Cedeno and Cintron). Or it's one infielder (Cedeno) and two outfielders (Murton and Johnson).

 

Personally I don't see why going with Cedeno only wouldn't be just fine.

 

When's the last time a team went into a season with 1 backup infielder? When's the last time the Cubs even considered it? It's not going to happen. Cedeno only is impossible because of the "what happens if 2 go down in the same game" question. You can always throw Ward into the OF if need be, or DeRosa, but there's nobody on that roster that can step in at 3rd, SS or 2B if needed.

 

The smart thing to do is not waste a roster spot on a 7th reliever.

[Tracer Bullet]

Good move in signing Johnson. I hope that we don't trade Murton just for the hell of it. I actually like both Murton and Johnson on the bench.

 

I don't see how that is possible. The only way that happens is if they go with 1 backup middle infielder, and I don't see anyway they pull that off. ....

 

With the normal 5-man bench, if one is a catcher and you burn one on a 1B-man (Ward), that leaves you 3 guys to cover infield and outfield. Either it's one outfielder (Johnson covering all three spots, supplemented by Ward or Cedeno), and two infielders (Cedeno and Cintron). Or it's one infielder (Cedeno) and two outfielders (Murton and Johnson).

 

Personally I don't see why going with Cedeno only wouldn't be just fine.

 

When's the last time a team went into a season with 1 backup infielder? When's the last time the Cubs even considered it? It's not going to happen. Cedeno only is impossible because of the "what happens if 2 go down in the same game" question. You can always throw Ward into the OF if need be, or DeRosa, but there's nobody on that roster that can step in at 3rd, SS or 2B if needed.

 

The smart thing to do is not waste a roster spot on a 7th reliever.

 

Exactly. As strong as our bullpen should be and with Lieber back there able to pitch several innings if necessary, there's no reason for 12 pitchers.

[vance_the_cubs_fan]

I agree that the smart thing to do is to have a six-man bench and a six-man pen.