Rays claim Dan Johnson

by Stephen Webb on Apr 18, 2008 2:00 PM EDT Comment 33 comments

http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/blogs/sfgate/detail?blogid=21&entry_id=25805

From the SF Gate Chronicle:

I just got off the phone with Dan Johnson's agent, who said that Tampa Bay claimed Johnson this morning. Johnson confirmed it, as well.

"It's been a long 10 days,'' Johnson said. "I've just got to get back into the swing of things. I can't complain, it's a big-league job. I'm still going.''

Apparently the A's couldn't swing a deal for Johnson, but the team had hoped to hang onto him rather than lose him to waivers. Johnson was out of options, though.

With Cliff Floyd out for a month or so, Johnson is likely to be DHing a lot, and he could do well hitting in that ballpark. He also has had a lot of success against some of the AL East clubs, so he could be a nice pickup for the Rays.

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I like it.

"I've seen many, many blue skies turn gray, but the sun will eventually return, and so will I. So will I." - Carlos Pena

by R.J. Anderson on Apr 18, 2008 2:46 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

I don't get it.

Unless Pena is going on the DL, this move doesn’t make a lick of sense to me.

by Vin on Apr 18, 2008 2:59 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Well, I guess it does.

If they’re still wanting to platoon Gomes. Although I really think he should play everyday.

by Vin on Apr 18, 2008 3:04 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

I don't get where he's playing either

But I know it’s better than bringing up Guzman or letting Haynes play more.

"I've seen many, many blue skies turn gray, but the sun will eventually return, and so will I. So will I." - Carlos Pena

by R.J. Anderson on Apr 18, 2008 3:06 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

But with Gomes and Hinske playing everyday

Haynes wouldn’t be playing more. In fact, that would free him up for the role we picked him up to play.

Bah, I’m sure it’ll all be clear before too long.

by Vin on Apr 18, 2008 3:08 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Makes sense if Pena is hurt

Oakland’s home park depresses offense, so that, and his excellent walk rate give me reason to believe we still haven’t seen his upside. It’s interesting to note that Johnson doesn’t fare much better against righties than lefties. Maddon seems to put more stock in what the splits say than assuming lefty vs. righty is the way to go, so we can’t assume a usage pattern on the fact he’s a lefty.

by GomesSweetGomes on Apr 18, 2008 3:06 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

I'm not saying DJ couldn't do well here

I just think we have too many Dan Johnson-type players already.

by Vin on Apr 18, 2008 3:09 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

You have a valid point

Johnson is no more likely to have an offensive breakout than Gomes or Hinske. At the same time there is an argument to be made for putting an extra horse in the race.

by GomesSweetGomes on Apr 18, 2008 3:15 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

More chances of winning?

Or is he simply the replacement for if (when) the Rays cash in on Hinske?

"I've seen many, many blue skies turn gray, but the sun will eventually return, and so will I. So will I." - Carlos Pena

by R.J. Anderson on Apr 18, 2008 3:19 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

More chances of having one stick.

To use an (admittedly extreme) example, I don’t think the 2003 Red Sox regret signing David Ortiz when they already had Jeremy Giambi (who was thought at the time to have as much or more power potential than Ortiz).

by GomesSweetGomes on Apr 18, 2008 3:27 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

I like it-

He fits the mold of former can’t miss prospects that go down the wron road some how and end up here-
(Pena, Hinke, now DJ)

the other 2 have found immediate success and I expect no different here. I am guessing he get’s Ruggiano’s spot. That is the part I like the least…

It will work itself out tho, overall I like the move…

by Hazleton Jason on Apr 18, 2008 3:27 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

I like it, too. With a bench that consists of role players like E. Johnson, Haynes and DiFelice, at the very least D. Johnson provides an option off the bench that can provide some offense if called upon.

by RATW on Apr 18, 2008 3:51 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

I did the math in my brain real quick- here is what we currently have if all parties healthy…

C-Navarro, Riggans, DiFelice
1b Pena, D. Johnson
2b- Iwamura, Zobrist
SS- Bartlett
3b- Longoria, Aybar
LF- Crawford
CF-Upton
RF- Hinske, Gomes, Haynes, Ruggiano, Floyd

that’s 18 players for 13 spots-

What happens there? I am guessing they all won’t get healthy at once, and Floyd could be month(s) away

I am guiessing the first guys to be gone will be the optionable kind- E. Johnson, Zobrist, Ruggiano…

Any ideas?

by Hazleton Jason on Apr 18, 2008 4:02 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

add e johnson to that little list I made…

by Hazleton Jason on Apr 18, 2008 4:03 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

How Wonderful is it?

That Longoria is pretty much guaranteed not to be optioned down for the foreseeable future?

by GomesSweetGomes on Apr 18, 2008 4:08 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Johnson is def first to go,

Johnson has not shown much so far, looks like he needs more time in the minors. Aybay might go when Zobrist eventually comes back. So that’s two down. Obviously a catcher has to go, i have no idea who. DeFelice has looked solid, but so has Riggins. so that’s 3. When Floyd does come back, Johnson has to be gone. 4 down.After theat i guess it’s Ruggiano?

by davidsmarch on Apr 18, 2008 4:09 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Johnson's out of options

that’s why he was dfa’d. I don’t really get this move myself – a bench guy for 1B/DH to fill a 1 month hole? Johnson’s problem wansn’t unrealized power, it was unrealized singles. Just don’t really see the point, though if Pena dies go DL it makes immediate sense, and perhaps until Floyd returns. Maybe that is the point – temp fill-in, then DFA him in turn when not needed. Maybe he gets hot and a piece can be gotten for him later.

Don’t see why all are so quick to cash Hinske – won’t be any real interest for 2 months, and he can fill a variety of spots. By then reality may have set in. But it’s nice to see him doing well now. Don’t know what you’re expecting in return – not much I hope.

by nyyfaninlaaland on Apr 18, 2008 6:40 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

I am not sure what there is not to get. Essentially he is free talent with no risk and possible rewards. For now, he serves an immediate purpose as a lefty DH in place of Floyd. Down the road, he might be the backup first baseman we do not have. (We have people filling in who are being moved from their normal positions.) He may also become a pinch hit possibility. Or maybe a trade chip, or insurance if we use someone else as a trade chip.

He has not hit for average, although he did manage .275/.355/.451 in 375 ABs his first year (2005). Last year, despite his low average (.236) he still had an OPS+ of 108 and an OBP of .349 due to 72 walks in 416 ABs and just 77 Ks by the way as well as 20 doubles and 18 home runs. If he can match that sort of production, or exceed it, he has value.

As with Hinske and other pickups, he adds depth and the possibility of production at little cost and except for the need to make space on the 40 man roster (Medlock, I guess), no sacrifice of talent.

by bobr on Apr 19, 2008 12:35 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

I would be surprised if it were Aybar to go. I know the Rays want a backup shortstop, but Aybar is more likely a decent major league hitter than Zobrist or E. Johnson and as a switch hitter and possible reserve at 2nd, 3rd and maybe the corners reasonably versatile as well. It will be a nice dilemma to have, and is one of the reasons I still think the Rays are looking to make some deal, perhaps for a regular right fielder, and thus clear some of the roster overflow.

by bobr on Apr 19, 2008 12:39 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Medlock DFA'd

Pena will not go on the disabled list.
So that means someone will need to be optioned.

by Vin on Apr 18, 2008 4:12 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

still true

opens a spot on the ML, but not the 40 man. i think someone said before, maybe there’s a possibility they just move Floyd to the 60-day.

by davidsmarch on Apr 18, 2008 4:17 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Hm?

Medlock opens a spot on the 40 man, not the 25 man.

"I've seen many, many blue skies turn gray, but the sun will eventually return, and so will I. So will I." - Carlos Pena

by R.J. Anderson on Apr 18, 2008 4:23 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

You beat me to it.

lame.

by Vin on Apr 18, 2008 4:24 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

sorry,

that’s what i meant to say, i got things reversed

by davidsmarch on Apr 18, 2008 4:40 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

What? No.

Medlock being DFA’d opens up a spot on the 40-man.
Someone will need to be optioned off of the 25-man (ML) roster by the time the game starts tonight.

by Vin on Apr 18, 2008 4:24 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs