Braves to Non-Tender Kelly Johnson

I've been posting non-tender news

in the below thread, if you are interested. Some interesting names.

As for Johnson, I’d be interested. He really cratered last year after 2 very good seasons, but I expect some bounce back. His BABIP was very low. He still drew walks and had a decent XBH%, so the underlying talent seems to still be there.

The only negative on Johnson from the Twins point of view is that he’s a left handed hitter.

by Eric in Madison on Dec 12, 2009 3:08 PM EST reply actions

As opposed to.............

Punto at second, who cant hit from either side of the plate. But on a serious note, i definitely see your point, we would be very vulnerable to left handed pitching in theory

"God tells me he can get me out of this mess, but he's pretty sure you're fucked."-Braveheart

by Camraman926 on Dec 12, 2009 3:34 PM EST up reply actions

Also...

the fact that Johnson is LH should not be a factor at all:

3-year split vs. righties: .254/.342/.430/.772
3-year split vs. lefties: .307/.367/.456/.823

He actually hits better against lefties than righties. And he also throws righthanded.

by DJSkillz on Dec 12, 2009 9:19 PM EST up reply actions

Umm

He’s a 2nd baseman. I don’t think you needed to tell us he throws righthanded.

by DJL44 on Dec 12, 2009 9:40 PM EST up reply actions

True...

but remember that he started as an OF in the majors.

Still, the thing that matters his his bat. If we had Johnson and Crede/Valencia filling out the rest of the lineup, we’d actually be pretty damn okay against lefties overall. You’d have all of Hardy/Cuddyer/Young/Johnson/Crede or Valencia being better against lefties than righties, and Kubel/Mauer/Morneau/Span aren’t exactly bad against anyone. Kubel’s the “weak link” there, but he’s still improving against lefties. And Span actually also hits lefties much better than righties, like Johnson.

by DJSkillz on Dec 12, 2009 10:25 PM EST up reply actions

Both Johnson and Church...

would be awesome fits for this club, and at a very reasonable cost. Church can play all 3 OF positions and should bounce back. And Johnson can also play the OF if need be, and should definitely bounce back offensively.

I’d be in favor of signing both those guys and Joe Crede and then using our trade chips for a real ace either now or at the trade deadline. This team could be special with those guys.

by DJSkillz on Dec 12, 2009 3:42 PM EST reply actions

I like Johnson, he can back up the corner of postions as well as play second

if they signed johnson and traded for kouzmanoff, they could still get punto in there plenty.

by lookatthosetwins on Dec 12, 2009 3:44 PM EST reply actions

Garrett Atkins

Garrett Atkins also was non-tendered. Even though he had a line of .226/.308/342 with 9 HRs and 48 RBI in 354 ABs, a year before he had a line of .286/.328/.452 with 21 HR and 99 RBI in 611 AB. He could be a possible filler until Valencia comes in, and shouldn’t be too expensive. But the Coors Field effect also takes place as well.

by hitormiss1414 on Dec 12, 2009 4:01 PM EST reply actions

But the Coors Field effect also takes place as well.

That’s just it – he has awful home and away splits. He should be better next season than last season, but it might not be enough to make signing him worth it. And he’s been getting worse each of the past few years.

UZR doesn’t like his defense either:

2007 = -14.2
2008 = -10.6
2009 =+0.2

"So [Kouzmanoff]’s going to make decent monkey, but he’d be affordable." - Jesse

by what_would_gil_thorp_do on Dec 12, 2009 6:54 PM EST up reply actions

Yeah, I'd rather have Crede than Atkins.

Also, I’m glad my monkey comment is that popular!

by Jesse on Dec 12, 2009 6:57 PM EST up reply actions

Johnson

Johnson would PROBABLY be a good hitting upgrade if he bounces back from last year (no reason to see he wouldn’t, turning 28, unlucky .249 BABIP last season, didn’t regress in any patience or contact numbers) but would be yet another hit on our defense with his -7.5 career UZR/150 at second base.

The Twins should have interest, but not be willing to pay too high of a price, in my opinion.

"You can't sit on a lead and run a few plays into the line and just kill the clock. You've got to throw the ball over the damn plate and give the other man his chance. That's why baseball is the greatest game of them all."
~ Earl Weaver
"In God we trust. All others must provide evidence."
~ Billy Beane

by AdamOnFirst on Dec 12, 2009 4:16 PM EST reply actions

I'd rather have Nick Punto starting at 2B everyday

Than Kelly Johnson

Any factual evidence at all towards this rumor?

Carlos Carrasco, Alex White along with Tanner Scheppers to the Twins
Glen Perkins and Beau Mills to the Rangers
Francisco Liriano and the rights to Boof Bonser + a PTBL to the Indians

(will Smoak and Feliz go to Fla. for Josh Johnson?)

by SteveHoffmanSlowey on Dec 12, 2009 4:34 PM EST reply actions

lol

Percy Harvin is my dealer.

by y2jayjk on Dec 12, 2009 4:40 PM EST up reply actions

punto over johnson

are you kidding KJ would be a huge upgrade at second, and to say punto over johnson?? what! Punto is a great bench utility player not.. i repeat NOT a starter, love his fielding..want to cry see his PAs

Want Railings got tohttp:// www.Kassonconcrete.com

by Baby_K on Dec 12, 2009 5:20 PM EST reply actions

I think it would depend entirely on which Kelly Johnson would show up in 2010.

If it’s the ‘07 or ’08 version…fantastic. But if it’s the ‘09 version, then no thanks. His defense isn’t good, and the last couple years he’s been sacrificing plate discipline in order to hit a few more fly balls. It hasn’t helped.

Honestly, I don’t think either one is an ideal choice. Johnson is younger and has a little upset yet, while with Punto you get the glove and already know what you’re going to get.

by Jesse on Dec 12, 2009 5:30 PM EST up reply actions

I fully believe....

that KJ is the 2b version of JJ Hardy. I expect him to bounce back, especially with a 2nd chance on a new team.

The comparison between him and Nick freaking Punto isn’t even close.

by DJSkillz on Dec 12, 2009 7:15 PM EST up reply actions

Wang, Johnson, Gomes, and Church

They are all interesting players the Twins ought to consider. I see the Twins are tendering all their guys contracts but could be planning on making a trade or cutting the fat.

Peyton's good but have you ever heard of Jeff George?

by halfchest on Dec 12, 2009 7:06 PM EST reply actions

Here's what I always think of when I hear about Jonny Gomes

"So [Kouzmanoff]’s going to make decent monkey, but he’d be affordable." - Jesse

by what_would_gil_thorp_do on Dec 12, 2009 8:36 PM EST up reply actions

3rd?

Does KJ have the arm for 3rd? He’d be a huge upgrade over Tolbert/Casilla. He could also form a platoon with Harris. With Punto and Hardy on the roster we don’t really need a backup infielder to be able to play SS. If he could back up 2B,3B,LF,RF he’d make roster construction much easier.

by Jon Kammerer on Dec 12, 2009 10:25 PM EST reply actions

D'jouall see my Griz squeak out a tough win over App. State on ESPN earlier?

Whoo Hoo, Chatanooga here we come!

by montanatwinsfan on Dec 12, 2009 10:34 PM EST reply actions

We all know Punto can't hit

But if we’re solid1-8 he can be weak at 9th. My brother and I joke he should bunt every time up. He’s got a better chance then swinging. Oh, and slide headfirst into first.

by b1 on Dec 12, 2009 11:01 PM EST reply actions

One of the most frustrating things about Punto,

is that he is a pretty poor bunter for someone who is clearly expected to bunt. If he could actually bunt, he would not be so infuriating.

by montanatwinsfan on Dec 12, 2009 11:09 PM EST up reply actions

Can anybody on the Twins lay down a good bunt anymore?

"Is it normal to wake up in the morning in a sweat because you can't wait to beat another human's guts out?" -Joe Kapp

by less cowbell, more 'neau on Dec 12, 2009 11:33 PM EST up reply actions

and yet its still better then him swinging.

by b1 on Dec 12, 2009 11:39 PM EST up reply actions

Mauer can

Mauer has been knowen to hit his way on via a bunt, but you don’t want him sacrificing, obviously. I recall seeing Casilla pull off the bunt before. Matt Tolbert too, probably.

Honestly, we aren’t a team with lots of bunters anymore, really. The offense is loaded more with guys who are sluggers instead.

"You can't sit on a lead and run a few plays into the line and just kill the clock. You've got to throw the ball over the damn plate and give the other man his chance. That's why baseball is the greatest game of them all."
~ Earl Weaver
"In God we trust. All others must provide evidence."
~ Billy Beane

by AdamOnFirst on Dec 13, 2009 3:08 AM EST up reply actions

Thank god

by ckb on Dec 13, 2009 2:52 PM EST up reply actions

Hardy and Kelly Johnson?

Before the 2009 season started, Baseball Prospectus thought that was about as good a middle infield as possible. I know, my fantasy team drafted them both.