Kelly Johnson?

[hankp101]

Allegedly the Braves have been shopping Kelly Johnson for an outfielder, and clearly they were after a middle infield replacement for him (Furcal) and a starting pitcher (Peavy). Pie probably isn't exactly the type of guy they are looking for, Hart and Ludwick are the names I've seen; and certainly Cedeno and Marquis aren't either. That said, I wonder if some combo of Pie, Cedeno and Marquis for Johnson might be a fall back plan for both teams if all of their primary targets fall through?

[wrigley23]

We have Dero, fontenot & theriot already at 2B potentials. hendry is trying to get the Cub more left handed so Kelly Johnson doesn't do much for that endeavor.

[JeffH]

hendry is trying to get the Cub more left handed so Kelly Johnson doesn't do much for that endeavor.

 

Why not?

[dew1679666265]

I'm not entirely sure how Kelly Johnson would be much, if any, better than Mike Fontenot.

 

Certainly not enough to justify giving up Pie and Cedeno.

[fromthestretch]

hendry is trying to get the Cub more left handed so Kelly Johnson doesn't do much for that endeavor.

 

Kelly Johnson is a left-handed hitter.

[hankp101]

Johnson is left handed and there has been talk of moving him back to left field. Plugging him in for left and shifting Soriano to right would provide the handedness they are looking for so desperatly this offseason. I'm not saying it would be optimal by any means. But I can't help but think the Gathright signing means Hendry is expecting to trade Pie in order to get something of value back when/if he moves Marquis. Johnson for Marquis and one of Pie or Cedeno doesn't seem like the worst possible scenario.

[sporrer17]

Unless Johnson suddenly morphs into a power hitter, he's basically Fontenot (a 2, 7, 8 hitter) which doesn't really add anything to the middle of our lineup.

 

The point is not just to acquire any LH hitter, but more likely to acquire a LH hitter capable of hitting in the middle of the lineup.

[jersey cubs fan]

Unless Johnson suddenly morphs into a power hitter, he's basically Fontenot (a 2, 7, 8 hitter) which doesn't really add anything to the middle of our lineup.

 

The point is not just to acquire any LH hitter, but more likely to acquire a LH hitter capable of hitting in the middle of the lineup.

 

Anybody is capable of hitting anywhere in the lineup. Ideally you'd find some stud who can OPS 950, but ideals are hard to come by. Fontenot put up a line of .305/.395/.514 last year. Johnson had .287/.349/.446. Their respective OPS+ was 131 and 108. There's no reason either set of numbers would be unsuitable for a spot in the middle of the order, regardless of the player's size.

[Post Count Padder]

Anyone else think of Kelly Johnson as a less versatile Mark DeRosa?

[hankp101]

In no way shape or form am I saying that Kelly Johnson is some sort of "solution". If the Cubs can add Milton Bradley, Adam Dunn or a player of that ilk, then a deal like this shouldn't even be considered. I'm just wondering if the two teams might view this as a fall back given what they seem to perceive as their needs.

I just looked some more stuff up and the Marcels for Johnson and Fontenot are very similar. I wouldn't have guessed that Johnson is actually 2 years younger than Fontenot.

[wrigley23]

Kelly Johnson appears to me to be Mark Teahen. We need a LH hitting RF that can hit it the middle of the order. We also need a leadoff hitter IMO although that is a whole 'nother thread :D

[jersey cubs fan]

Anyone else think of Kelly Johnson as a less versatile Mark DeRosa?

 

Or more effeminately named.

[dew1679666265]

In no way shape or form am I saying that Kelly Johnson is some sort of "solution". If the Cubs can add Milton Bradley, Adam Dunn or a player of that ilk, then a deal like this shouldn't even be considered. I'm just wondering if the two teams might view this as a fall back given what they seem to perceive as their needs.

I just looked some more stuff up and the Marcels for Johnson and Fontenot are very similar. I wouldn't have guessed that Johnson is actually 2 years younger than Fontenot.

 

I wouldn't be opposed to Kelly Johnson as an option, but there's no way I'd consider giving up any more than - perhaps - Marquis and Cedeno for him. Even then, I'd want most or all of Marquis' salary paid. Johnson just isn't valuable enough to give up a lot.