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Sunday, January 31, 2010

Dodgers near deal OF Reed Johnson

Holy Chapman and Chinnmusic…BLOCKBUSTER!

The Dodgers are close to signing free-agent outfielder Reed Johnson, according to major-league sources.

Johnson, 33, would serve as a fourth outfielder behind Andre Ethier, Matt Kemp and Manny Ramirez.

Jason Repko and Xavier Paul are the only other outfielders on the Dodgers’ roster following the trade of Juan Pierre to the White Sox.

Johnson, a right-handed hitter, plays all three outfield positions. He spent the past two years with the Cubs, but had an injury-marred 2009.

Repoz Posted: January 31, 2010 at 10:32 PM | 20 comment(s) Login to Bookmark
Tags: dodgers

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1. Enrico Pallazzo Posted: January 31, 2010 at 10:44 PM (#3451230)

I've always liked Reed Johnson, as evidenced by a former screen name of mine. He's like the perfect 4th outfielder.

2. Tripon Posted: January 31, 2010 at 11:12 PM (#3451242)

Johnson is certainly a better choice than Garret Anderson.

3. Barry`s_Lazy_Boy Posted: February 01, 2010 at 02:43 AM (#3451301)

Johnson is a great 4th outfielder.

4. retro-shiite Posted: February 01, 2010 at 03:18 AM (#3451314)

He's almost too good a 4th outfielder for a team like the Dodgers, who have 3 terrific starting outfielders. I can't see Johnson getting a whole lot of playing time. He's a good addition anyway.

Do the Dodgers have baseball's best outfield? I can't think of anyone who beats Manny/Kemp/Ethier, offhand.

5. Tripon Posted: February 01, 2010 at 03:21 AM (#3451317)

Manny probably needs a day off every week, and Kemp and Ethier probably need their days off. Reed might get 250-300 PAs

6. Tripon Posted: February 01, 2010 at 03:40 AM (#3451326)

And by Reed, I mean Johnson.

7. Earvin 'Gold Stars' Johnson Posted: February 01, 2010 at 03:46 AM (#3451328)

But is Johnson worthy of a Plaschke tongue bath? Pierre - starting during Manny's suspension - sure was.

8. CC is on irrevocable waivers Posted: February 01, 2010 at 03:47 AM (#3451330)

Ethier has a .700 career OPS v LHP (versus .900+ v RHP), so "resting" him any time there's a southpaw on the mound would make sense and give Johnson a good chunk of PA right there. Toss in subbing for Manny regularly, Kemp occasionally, and regular PH duties and he should see a decent amount of PT.

9. bostonu yankees fan Posted: February 01, 2010 at 03:48 AM (#3451331)

I was kind of hoping the Yankees would pick him up - he would have been a solid counterpart to Granderson. But, the Winn signing kind of ended that speculation.

Nice pick-up for the Dodgers.

10. Robinson Cano Plate Like Home Posted: February 01, 2010 at 03:55 AM (#3451334)

Dodgers near deal FOR Reed Johnson?

11. Sleepy supports unauthorized rambling Posted: February 01, 2010 at 06:06 AM (#3451370)

Do the Dodgers have baseball's best outfield? I can't think of anyone who beats Manny/Kemp/Ethier, offhand.

The dodgers give up a ton on defense, though. Of those 3, only Kemp could be considered anywhere near average, and that's just in one season out of 4 (by UZR). Ethier was almost Dunnian last year, and Manny is Manny...

12. Tripon Posted: February 01, 2010 at 06:30 AM (#3451374)

Nobody is as bad as Adam Dunn. Using UZR, He was a -36.3 in 2009. In 2008, he was a -28.0, and in 2007, he was a -18.8. I think its safe to say he is a horrible fielder.

2007: -18.8
2008: -28.0
2009: -36.3

Andre Ethier was

2007: 3.0
2008: -7.1
2009: -16.2

Ethier sucks at defense, but he's not Adam Dunn bad. Nowhere near close.

For what its worth Manny hasn't been that bad defensively at Dodgers stadium either.

2007: -21.0
2008 (Red Sox/Dodgers combined): -2.5 (!!!)
2009: -7.8

13. Sleepy supports unauthorized rambling Posted: February 01, 2010 at 06:45 AM (#3451380)

Wow,tripon, guess I just hadn't paid that much attention to Dunn since he left the Reds. He's been a lot worse than I remembered the last 2 years. OTOH, he was a roughly minus 15-20 player from 2005-2007 (-19, -15, -19), which is right about what Ethier was, last year.

14. CFiJ Posted: February 01, 2010 at 02:51 PM (#3451435)

The (Reed Johnson) Catch.

15. Misirlou's got a busy day, he's wearing a vest Posted: February 01, 2010 at 03:01 PM (#3451438)

Nice camera work. They were focused on the upper deck until the last second, and almost missed the catch.

16. snapper (history's 42nd greatest monster) Posted: February 01, 2010 at 03:41 PM (#3451457)

For what its worth Manny hasn't been that bad defensively at Dodgers stadium either.

2007: -21.0
2008 (Red Sox/Dodgers combined): -2.5 (!!!)
2009: -7.8

That -7.8 is misleading, only 101 GS. Manny was -15.4/150 per UZR. Just as crappy as always (when Fenway adjustments are made.)

2008 seems like the outlier. Since Manny's poor D has always been attributed to indifference rather than inability, it's not so surprising that it was good during his LA salary/prove the Sox were wrong drive.

17. Barry`s_Lazy_Boy Posted: February 01, 2010 at 04:01 PM (#3451470)

I figured CFiJ was linking to this catch

18. CFiJ Posted: February 01, 2010 at 04:19 PM (#3451481)

Jesus, how many times did Johnson bail Dempster out? They must be BFFs now.

19. Tuque

Posted: February 01, 2010 at 05:07 PM (#3451522)

Who hit that? I like how when they cut back to him, he has this sort of half-smile on his face. He was clearly impressed, if disappointed that he didn't get the hit.

20. Crispix Attacks Posted: February 01, 2010 at 05:14 PM (#3451529)

That's Felipe Lopez, who incidentally appears to be returning to the Cardinals.

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Dodgers near deal OF Reed Johnson

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