Dodgers Complete Reed Johnson Deal
by Eric Stephen on Feb 1, 2010 9:22 PM PST
in Los Angeles Dodgers Roster
Email
PrintThe Dodgers finalized their deal with fourth outfielder Reed Johnson today, after he completed his physical. "Reed is a versatile outfielder that comes to the ballpark ready to play every day," said General Manager Ned Colletti. "We’re excited to have him with the Dodgers. He provides Joe with a few defensive choices since he has played all three outfield positions in his career."
Tony Jackson of ESPN Los Angeles reported the deal is worth $800,000.
Dylan Hernandez of the Los Angeles Times adds that Johnson "can earn an extra $250k in incentives based on games played and plate appearances." That means 14 of the 18 Dodgers currently under contract for 2010 have performance bonuses written into their contract.
Canadian Press baseball writer Shi Davidi brings the news that will endear the newest Dodger to his new fans:
Reed Johnson sings [sic] with Dodgers and good for him. He grew up a Dodgers fan and loves Vin Scully (who doesn't?). Jays miss his determination.
How can you not root for a Vin Scully fan? Are you listening, Jeff Kent and Derek Lowe?
Besides playing all three outfield positions, the right-handed Johnson could help at the plate too. Last season, right-handed Dodger pinch hitters hit .224/.294/.271 in 120 plate appearances. As it stands now, the bench looks to be exclusively right handed, although the left-handed Doug Mientkiewicz seems likely to make the leap from non-roster invitee to bench contributor as well.
The 40-man roster is now full. This moves the estimated payroll to $95.68 million.
However, perhaps more importantly, Casey Blake and his wife presented his hometown school district of Indianola, Iowa with a check for $1 million tonight. If you want to read more, click on this story by Aaron Jaco of the Indianola Record Hearld, but be warned: you may not recognize The Beard clean shaven.
67 comments
|
0 recs |
Do you like this story?
Comments
what the heck
First no arbitration to Wolfe and now this, this offseason can’t be happenning.
Woohoo, I get to look forward to another 7-6 season ("at best") in 2010! There's nothing like going to Idaho for a bowl game.
WTF!?!?
That is NOT Casey Blake. I do not believe it.
by lakersdodgersyankees4life on Feb 1, 2010 9:28 PM PST reply actions
He looks so much younger without the beard, makes me want to believe his legs will hold up for the entire season.
by 68elcamino427 on Feb 1, 2010 10:52 PM PST up reply actions
Seriously…he looks so dang young. That is the real reason I have a beard, so one day I can take off 5 years with a quick shave with the blade.
by robotmadeofnails on Feb 2, 2010 8:22 AM PST up reply actions
I think I like the clean-
nevermind. Can’t keep a straight face.
With the 40-man now full, that probably lessens Lindblom’s chances of breaking camp as the 5th starter. They still need to clear room for Minky and probably Green or Berroa (likely cuts being Zerpa and one of Haeger/Stults). I still think JL will be up by May at the latest.
That’s not to say he isn’t a top prospect, but it’s unlikely he’ll command exorbitant dollars in arbitration. So in that respect, it’s OK to call him up in late May (as long as we get 6+ years of service instead of just 6).
Off topic
but Ryan Ballengee runs Waggle Room, the SB Nation golf blog. He does an awesome job, so much so that he got accepted into the Golf Writers Association of America. He gets to vote on awards and everything.
Huge win for the blogging world.
That's one small step for a blogger
and one huge leap for blogger-kind
by prosellis on Feb 1, 2010 10:09 PM PST up reply actions 1 recs
Top 5 pitchers likely to get DFA’d this year:
1. Zerpa = Probably in spring training. LOOGY is an extreme long shot to make the club.
2. Haeger = He’s someone that could clear waivers and spend most of the year in ABQ again.
3. Stults = We could probably get a fringe prospect for him since he’s left handed and has thrown two ML shutouts.
4. Monasterios = Dodgers seem pretty high on him, but sticking on the 25 all year will be tough.
5. Cory Wade = Hate to say it, but his stuff is average at best and he’s an injury waiting to happen due to past overuse.
The Dodgers’ 40-man roster is full and it’s expected that at some point, a spot will have to be cleared for IF Nick Green.
Dylan Hernandez
Dylan Hernandez also added:
The Dodgers remain interested in Jeff Weaver, but their roster situation could prevent them from offering him a major-league deal.
by Eric Stephen on Feb 1, 2010 10:04 PM PST up reply actions
Another minor league deal seems about right for Weaver.
by Eric Stephen on Feb 1, 2010 10:05 PM PST up reply actions
Chan Ho Park is probably going to have to take a minor league deal as well. Odd, since Philly was going to give him $3 million just to be Chan Ho Park.
Yeah, it seems tough to turn down $3m in this market.
by Eric Stephen on Feb 1, 2010 10:08 PM PST up reply actions
Somebody’s been watching the British version of the office! :)
by Eric Stephen on Feb 1, 2010 10:10 PM PST up reply actions
if "redundant" means "an awful 'utility infielder' who can't even play shortstop
then I agree wholeheartedly. I can’t believe we are seriously going to start the year with carroll AND green on the roster. can’t dewitt or carroll handle shortstop three times a month? do they really think hu is appreciably worse than green with the bat?
(it could be worse: if you have a minute google “sabean hitler youtube”… it seems the fuhrer is not a big fan of the offseason signings – this should be the mccovey chronicles theme video)
by lchristmas on Feb 1, 2010 10:56 PM PST via mobile up reply actions
kengurnick
The Dodgers are talking to Jeff Weaver about returning as swingman and are monitoring the rehabs of Ching-Mien Wang and Noah Lowry.
Wang = sure, but at what price?
Lowry = enough said
by Julio Nievas on Feb 1, 2010 10:26 PM PST up reply actions
I would love to have Wang since he still has a good deal of upside. We have enough arms to cover us until May or June when he should be ready.
I like
Weaver and his new arm slot delivery.
by robotmadeofnails on Feb 2, 2010 8:25 AM PST up reply actions
Something I missed from the Reed Johnson press release
on first glance:
The Southern California native holds the distinction of being one of only four players in big league history to hit a leadoff home run and a walkoff homer in the same game. He turned the trick on June 15, 2003 with Toronto vs. the Cubs.
Cubs fan here.
You will love Reed Johnson. He plays with enthusiasm, decent defense at all 3 OF positions, and rakes LHP. His only issue is staying healthy.
"You can observe a lot just by watching." ~ Yogi Berra
My wife
always picks her favorite Dodgers and then they leave. See Saito, T and Hudson, O
by robotmadeofnails on Feb 2, 2010 8:26 AM PST up reply actions
My wife hasn't been the same
since Jason Werth left, though I think it had more to do with his tall good looking frame then it did with how he played baseball while a Dodger.
Any chance we could persuade her to pick Jamie Carroll this season?
2009-10 Kings Hockey: Delivering Milk Steaks from the Meat Train at an arena near you!
by DodgerBlueBalls on Feb 2, 2010 8:52 AM PST up reply actions
Modified Bessel–Gauss beams?
2009-10 Kings Hockey: Delivering Milk Steaks from the Meat Train at an arena near you!
by DodgerBlueBalls on Feb 2, 2010 9:47 AM PST up reply actions
It would be a lot easier to root against the Dodgers
if Blake wasn’t such a humanitarian, donating so much to a school system so near my birthplace
"I have no special talents. I am only passionately curious." - Albert Einstein
by Andrew T. Fisher on Feb 2, 2010 8:03 AM PST reply actions
One Million from Blake
is quite impressive, he’s near the end of his earning curve and that is a huge % of his yearly income.
Blake strikes me as the type that has lived within his means. He has probably managed his money well enough, to where he can comfortably make this donation. Hard not to like Blake.
agreed
He also seems like a really nice guy. I know that is all subjective, but I would buy him a pint.
by robotmadeofnails on Feb 2, 2010 9:24 AM PST up reply actions
The Essence of Beard (Where Has it Gone?)
To imagine such things could happen in life,
Giving a million bucks back, you and your wife.
Though that shows us you’re quite an honorable man,
More pressing questions are coming from this concerned fan.
Now Casey what have you gone and done?
Did you do it for spite? reputation? the kids or for fun?
Though you may not believe it you are known as the “beard”.
Calling you “Chin” would seem a little weird.
We love your defense and last years bat was quite good,
But how do we manage when your face isn’t like wood?
Perhaps we can make it if you new face adds youth,
Cause if you hit over .300 we don’t care about the truth.
Your hammy was sore but perhaps that was the beard,
Every time you missed a game the worst was feared.
But a clean shaven Blake could possibly be the key,
Now don’t hurt yourself, get on base, don’t worry about being over thirty.
Your fans just hope your strength wasn’t in your extra hair.
Stranger things have happen in Dodger Blue. Let’s keep things fair.
If you’re not hitting well by the beginning of June, agree to this wrinkle…
GROW IT BACK OUT and longer than Rip Van Winkle!!
Go Dodgers! Go Beard!
by RawhideBlue on Feb 2, 2010 9:04 AM PST reply actions 3 recs
Yankee fans over at Fack Youk bring us the real reason Reed Johnson chose the Dodgers over the Yankees…facial hair. Funny stuff.
It's easy to hate
stuff like Jamie Carroll for two years (why?), having no real backup SS, but I have to say I am satisfied with Ned’s offseason given all the constraints he had to work with.
I agree there's really not much he can do with such limited resources
thankfully they at least are keeping the core around and got their arbitration extentions done.
Woohoo, I get to look forward to another 7-6 season ("at best") in 2010! There's nothing like going to Idaho for a bowl game.
NPUT – thanks to Rawhide
http://www.truebluela.com/2010/2/2/1289077/the-essence-of-beard-where-has-it
Comments For This Post Are Closed
Secondary Sidebar
User Tools
Related FanPosts on True Blue LA
FanPosts
Community blog posts and discussion.
Recommended FanPosts
Recent FanPosts
In Association With
Big League Stew - MLB - Yahoo! Sports
- Josh Hamilton on public relapse: ‘It was just wrong. That’s all it comes down to.’
- Photo: The Marlins’ ridiculous-looking home run sculpture is almost complete
- Yankees GM Brian Cashman lures alleged stalker into police dragnet
- Report: Josh Hamilton had a relapse with alcohol
- Happy Birthday Boy! Wes Ferrell, the best-hitting pitcher of all-time, would be 104
Certain photos copyright © 2012 by Associated Press or Getty Images. Any commercial use or distribution without the express written consent of Associated Press and Getty Images is strictly prohibited.
