It's Official -- Reed Johnson Is A Cub

by Al on Mar 25, 2008 1:10 PM CDT

That link also has another round of roster cuts:

The Cubs optioned outfielders Sam Fuld and Eric Patterson to Triple-A Iowa and assigned left-handed pitcher Les Walrond and infielders Micah Hoffpauir and Casey McGehee to Minor League camp.
Also, the Cubs today placed right-handed pitcher Angel Guzman on the 60-day disabled list with status post ulnar collateral ligament reconstruction of his right elbow.

Guzman moving to the 60-day DL opens up another 40-man roster spot. I would imagine we won't see the final cuts until this weekend.

Also, I changed the "Reed Johnson?" poll to read "Reed Johnson!"

This is a FanPost and does not necessarily reflect the views of SB Nation, Bleed Cubbie Blue, or Al Yellon, editor-in-chief. FanPost opinions are, however, valued expressions of opinion by passionate and knowledgeable baseball fans.

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This makes FOUR Reed Johnson fanposts.

I just wish someone around here would take an interest in what this here Cubs team does!

Ladies and gentlemen, your 2008 Chicago Cubs starting outfield: Soriano-Pie-Fukudome. Let it be.

by dat cubfan daver on Mar 25, 2008 1:16 PM CDT 0 recs

Good...

Didn't we want him a season or two ago and the Blue Jays wouldn't part with him? At least he's "free".

With the Eyre injury, do we have any lefties in the pen?

Can't wait for the Cubs in '08!!!

by fuzzycubfan on Mar 25, 2008 1:21 PM CDT 0 recs

Good move......

A no brainer actually. Only cost is $$........no young players. He's a veteran with a good record against LHP (last year notwithstanding) and does'nt impede Pie. Now...........what to do with the starting pitching "surplus". Ohhhhhhhhhhh............maybe Guzman going off the 40 man means that guy from Baltimore might still come??

by plenz on Mar 25, 2008 1:31 PM CDT up 0 recs

Ha!

I'd love to think that, too, but I doubt we will worry about room on the 40-man for that trade. Ideally, it would take off 3 of our players on the 40-man roster and add back 1.

Jacque Jones is gone, and I doubt Ivan DeJesus would mind this!

by initram on Mar 25, 2008 1:33 PM CDT up 0 recs

Well...

I'm not that excited but it definitely beats some of the other CF options (Crisp, Byrd, Payton) that Hendry had been reportedly considering, and who have never really shown an ability to hit LHP. Hopefully Johnson's '07 was an aberration, although it might be that his '05 and '06 numbers were actually the aberrations. In any case, its good that they realize that Pie cant hit LHP.

by ms9av on Mar 25, 2008 1:22 PM CDT 0 recs

Adding Reed Johnson...

... brought us up to 40 on the 40-man roster.

Is the corresponding move of placing Guzman on the 60-day DL raise eyebrows, or is it pure coincidental?

Jacque Jones is gone, and I doubt Ivan DeJesus would mind this!

by initram on Mar 25, 2008 1:27 PM CDT 0 recs

Johnson will wear #13

Nothing like some Will Ohman vibes to ensure Cubbie success ;)

Not a bad guy to have on the bench if Pie decides to continue his regular season hitting strike.

"And heeeere cooome the pretzels!"

by NightPutting on Mar 25, 2008 1:31 PM CDT 0 recs

Don't forget... Neifi!

by gjdow on Mar 25, 2008 1:36 PM CDT up 0 recs

He's Still Jobless, Right?

I heard Colorado signed him about 6 weeks ago, then Al said the next day the Rox changed their mind...

Jacque Jones is gone, and I doubt Ivan DeJesus would mind this!

by initram on Mar 25, 2008 1:37 PM CDT up 0 recs

What's the skinny...

...on Guzman? Is he having yet another surgery, or recovering still from the last one? I like him when he's healthy, but he's a part (in my mind at least) of the old Prior---Wood (before this year)---injured-but-dreaming-of-getting-better problem. When will Guzman pitch regularly at Wrigley? - TL

"Why shouldn't we believe that we're going to win the World Series?" - Ted Lilly, 1/19/2008, Daily Herald interview w/Barry Rozner

by timlacy on Mar 25, 2008 1:33 PM CDT 0 recs

He Had The Surgery Last August...

...and recovery time is about 18 months. Hopefully he'll be ready in time for spring training next year.

Jacque Jones is gone, and I doubt Ivan DeJesus would mind this!

by initram on Mar 25, 2008 1:35 PM CDT up 0 recs

This is a very good

signing for us I no longer have any concerns about the CF postion.

by cubsfan25 on Mar 25, 2008 1:38 PM CDT 0 recs

I like this move

Dome has enough adjustments to make without shuttling back and forth between CF and RF.

Jay Payton has a less than stellar reputation as a clubhouse guy, tends to complain when he isn't in the lineup, and he isn't much of a CF at this point in his career.

Jeff DaVannon is an injury waiting to happen. I'm not sure that he has the wheels to play CF any more.

If they trade for Crisp (which I hope they don't), the whole equation changes, but for now this is a good, low-cost pickup. If Johnson's back is not 100%, they can DL him and trade for someone. It's costing "only" $1M.

I guess we do need to give Murton an appropriate send-off.

"I've never complained about it. I'm thankful to have a jersey." Mark DeRosa, 22 Aug 2007

by DeRoMyHero on Mar 25, 2008 1:39 PM CDT 0 recs

poor Murton

I'm drunk......and it shows.....

by Keystone80435 on Mar 25, 2008 1:45 PM CDT up 0 recs

I love this move

Johnson's splits versus left-handed pitchers:

Reed Johnson Stats

Career: .308/.371/.462

2007: .325/.381/.532
2006: .323/.422/.445
2005: .279/.335/.418
2004: .301/.351/.439
2003: .328/.366/.533

His pinch-hit numbers for his career aren't too hot, .238/.298/.405, but then again, 42 ABs is a small sample size. And in terms of his playing CF, he only has 64 games in his entire career out there (versus 398 in LF and 197 in RF). What's the full defensive report on him?

by Chicago Illinois on Mar 25, 2008 1:40 PM CDT 0 recs

Wow, the entire city of Chicago just posted on BCB.

I knew this blog was getting popular, but this is ridiculous.

Ladies and gentlemen, your 2008 Chicago Cubs starting outfield: Soriano-Pie-Fukudome. Let it be.

by dat cubfan daver on Mar 25, 2008 1:42 PM CDT up 0 recs

Murton's lefty splits

Matt Murton Stats

Career: .326/.399/.510

2007: .319/.386/.505
2006: .301/.385/.485
2005: .380/.443/.563

So Murton is clearly a better lefty-masher (and that's what both of these guys are), but his defense is so terrible out there, this move is an upgrade. If Murton and Marquis/Dempster/insert random Cub name in here can bring in something more valuable, the signing becomes even better.

by Chicago Illinois on Mar 25, 2008 1:45 PM CDT up 0 recs

So does this kill the byrd deal?

I'm drunk......and it shows.....

by Keystone80435 on Mar 25, 2008 1:44 PM CDT 0 recs

Likely So...

Jacque Jones is gone, and I doubt Ivan DeJesus would mind this!

by initram on Mar 25, 2008 1:50 PM CDT up 0 recs

Reed Johnsonmania

He is creating quite the stir on BCB

Lets do it Cubbies

by slocs55 on Mar 25, 2008 1:48 PM CDT 0 recs

Reed Johnson...

... will play in CF in today's game?

Jacque Jones is gone, and I doubt Ivan DeJesus would mind this!

by initram on Mar 25, 2008 1:50 PM CDT 0 recs

Bet Murton gets moved

Johnson fills his role and the back up CF'er....Cubs move can have Cintron and Fontenot with DeRosa as the 5th OF'er with Ward.

Piniella: "This is a tougher job than I thought it would be, I'm going to be honest with you."

by Ivy Walls on Mar 25, 2008 1:52 PM CDT 0 recs

So who is the

backup left fielder now? I dont know that much about Reed J. Will he back up center and left and I guess Ward will backup righ?

I'm drunk......and it shows.....

by Keystone80435 on Mar 25, 2008 1:57 PM CDT 0 recs

Johnson has played most of his career in LF

From my post above, 398 games in LF, 197 games in RF, 68 games in CF.

by Chicago Illinois on Mar 25, 2008 2:00 PM CDT up 0 recs

oops

i missed that

I'm drunk......and it shows.....

by Keystone80435 on Mar 25, 2008 2:09 PM CDT up 0 recs

And here's the best part...

When he's not in an outfield platoon, Reed Johnson can also bat left-handed, play middle IF, steal bases, and he works fast and throws strikes to boot!

And he's SCRAPPY!!!!!

Lou Brown: "My kinda team, Charlie, my kinda team..."

by ballhawk on Mar 25, 2008 2:00 PM CDT 0 recs

All for 1 mil?

Not a bad pickup.

I'm drunk......and it shows.....

by Keystone80435 on Mar 25, 2008 2:07 PM CDT up 0 recs

thank god!!

all I needed to know was if he's considered "scrappy"

hopefulyy not jusy crappy!!!

by plenz on Mar 25, 2008 3:12 PM CDT up 0 recs

Is it bad...

That i've never heard of Reed Johnson, therefore I am not really excited... yet.

"The one that invent the light tried 2,000 times and finally he did it, we have light...I don't want to spend 2,000 times to win Opening Day" Carlos Zambrano

by CubsBullsBears on Mar 25, 2008 2:06 PM CDT 0 recs

It's like finding a missing piece to the puzzle

You didn't know where or what it was before and it looks small by itself, but once you put it in to the whole picture... Hot Damn do things look and feel better!

/Even if that feeling is little absurd because you had so much of the puzzle done anyway.

by Chicago Illinois on Mar 25, 2008 2:18 PM CDT up 0 recs

No...

You have to spend way too much time watching baseball to know the player. Or be a Jays fan.

But he's everything that the Cubs were looking for, and at an affordable price to boot. His stats against lefties is obscene, and he's a VERY likeable player. Really good signing.

by Damen Jackson on Mar 25, 2008 2:18 PM CDT up 0 recs

Well gosh darnit...

I like him already!

"The one that invent the light tried 2,000 times and finally he did it, we have light...I don't want to spend 2,000 times to win Opening Day" Carlos Zambrano

by CubsBullsBears on Mar 25, 2008 2:28 PM CDT up 0 recs

And a steal pricewise. No players, just cash.

I'm drunk......and it shows.....

by Keystone80435 on Mar 25, 2008 2:59 PM CDT up 0 recs

Here's the thing about Murton

I used to be a Murton "defender" around here. His overall numbers are good, and you expect improvement.

However. As he accumulated games one thing started bugging me. Everytime I saw the box score I looked at this stat LOB, as in, runner left on base, and I always saw Murton with a high number. After a while it started bugging me and I wonder wether it was my perception or if he was really bad in that situation. Well, the sample size is not really that small anymore. Murton has a lifetime .692 OPS with runners on in 342 AB. I believe his bad trend in this regard has continued this spring (from my perception, since I don't have the stats).

You can say Murton is the anti-Manny Ramirez. He has a knack of not getting the runners in and producing way below his level when there are no runners on. Can he turn it around? Maybe. But to be honest, I think the Cubs have done the right move in moving on. I am very excited about the Reed signing, both by his talent and the fact that no deal had to be made.

Great day for the Cubs IMO.

by Luis on Mar 25, 2008 2:11 PM CDT 0 recs

Thats just means he's not clutch off the bench I think.

Is there a way to tell what was a pinch hit situation?

I'm drunk......and it shows.....

by Keystone80435 on Mar 25, 2008 3:00 PM CDT up 0 recs

Murton better learn to be clutch off the bench

or he will never make it here or anywhere else. Especially with the fact that he is an average left fielder.

by LT on Mar 25, 2008 7:40 PM CDT up 0 recs

I am not

that excited. Outside of him being able to back up CF against lefties, meh.

Does anyone know why Toronto let him go? Must be a reason.

He had two years with a nice OBP out of the five. The other three years nothing special. But I guess with the cost being low it is worth the gamble.

"You can't take life to seriously, you don't get out of it alive"

by wild bill on Mar 25, 2008 2:38 PM CDT 0 recs

Wild Bill

The Jays let go of Johnson because they signed Shannon Stewart and have Matt Stairs in LF. Johnson is coming off of back surgery, but from what I can tell, looked healed and played will in ST.

by Tangled Up In Blue on Mar 25, 2008 2:45 PM CDT up 0 recs

After I hit

the send off key, I recalled that they had a glut of OF. Matt Stairs, man I can't believe he is still playing. So I guess the Jays think more of Stairs than Johnson? I am so sure I am good with that.

"You can't take life to seriously, you don't get out of it alive"

by wild bill on Mar 25, 2008 2:51 PM CDT up 0 recs

You probably don't follow the Jays too closely...

so just take the word of people that do. For what the Cubs need from a 4th outfielder, Johnson is a 100% fit. Period. And the fact that not only did it cost just a million, but no prospects had to be given up makes this an EXTREMELY good signing.

by Damen Jackson on Mar 25, 2008 2:55 PM CDT up 0 recs

Good signing

I suspose so. I still have trouble getting to excited about a cast off. Hey more power to us if he fills the need. As always, time will tell.

"You can't take life to seriously, you don't get out of it alive"

by wild bill on Mar 25, 2008 3:03 PM CDT up 0 recs

You're right...

time will tell. The good thing is, that even if Johnson doesn't pan out the Cubs are only out $1 mil and will have money and players to use for an upgrade come the trading deadline.

by Tangled Up In Blue on Mar 25, 2008 3:05 PM CDT up 0 recs

Yea

I was only out $1 mil at the boat last night. At least I still had a quarter mil left in my pocket:)

"You can't take life to seriously, you don't get out of it alive"

by wild bill on Mar 25, 2008 3:08 PM CDT up 0 recs

Good GAWD man!

It pains me to write things like "only out $1 mil"....

by Tangled Up In Blue on Mar 25, 2008 3:10 PM CDT up 0 recs

They have

things for pain also. Yea I caught your comment. To you and me, much money and than some. To a big league ball club, you are right to say "out only 1 mil"

Strange times.

"You can't take life to seriously, you don't get out of it alive"

by wild bill on Mar 25, 2008 3:14 PM CDT up 0 recs

"Strange times" indeed.

by Tangled Up In Blue on Mar 25, 2008 3:15 PM CDT up 0 recs

Just wait

until October, that is when things will get really wild..... Hey we can hope if anything.

"You can't take life to seriously, you don't get out of it alive"

by wild bill on Mar 25, 2008 3:17 PM CDT up 0 recs

There's hope, alright :)

I'm living right by the park this year, just to be in the middle of the wildness. So far, at least, it looks like we are heading in the right direction.

by Tangled Up In Blue on Mar 25, 2008 3:18 PM CDT up 0 recs

Stairs

It may have to do with contracts more than anything else from the Jays perspective. Stairs is owed $2.25 mil this year and $1mil in '09 while Johnson signed a one year $3.2 mil deal for '08.

Same monetary value, but the extra year on Stairs deal may have had something to do with it. As well as Johnson's back surgery.

Just my thoughts...

by Tangled Up In Blue on Mar 25, 2008 2:57 PM CDT 0 recs

Wonderful signing

Take it from somebody who has seen many Jays games in the past -- Reed Johnson is a HIGH energy addition to the roster. He plays every game like his hair is on fire and will quickly become a fan favo(u)rite.

by leothelip on Mar 25, 2008 3:07 PM CDT 0 recs

Yeah...

Just what we need...another "fan favorite"

See the Cubs 2008 schedule (with TV schedule) at http://ignarski.tripod.com/sched2008.html

by kaseyi on Mar 25, 2008 3:16 PM CDT up 0 recs

For what its worth

Blue Jays fans didn't like seeing him let go. I cruised on over to the Jays' SBN sight and there weren't any bad words about him at all. In fact, they were sorry he was gone, most likely a great fit here in Chicago which is fine with me.

Time is an illusion--lunch time doubly so.

by snowyman28 on Mar 25, 2008 4:46 PM CDT 1 recs

Scrappy

He is scrappy, but the way he played that fly ball in the 9th, I'd drop the "s"

by Fuk-U-Meter on Mar 25, 2008 6:10 PM CDT 0 recs

That was a cheap triple.

Should have been an error. He dropped the ball.

"That's my opinion and if you don't like it, well, I have others." ~ Groucho Marx

by Al on Mar 25, 2008 6:42 PM CDT up 0 recs

When you lose balls in the sun

Its usually goes as a hit. Like this one did, he was running around trying to find the ball like a little leaguer.

"Hey.....Cubs win!!!" ---Harry "I strongly dislike Steve Stone." ---Hammer

by Hammer on Mar 26, 2008 9:18 AM CDT up 0 recs

Didn't he have back surgery? Please don't be another pickup of a guy with best days gone.

by daveuic on Mar 25, 2008 6:49 PM CDT 0 recs

He had back surgery

last April and came back midseason. He struggled when he came back last year, but he is healthy now and doing well this spring. The Blue Jays for whatever reason like Shannon Stewart over him, but Stewart had a solid year last season hitting 290/346 in 140 something games.

by cubsfan25 on Mar 25, 2008 6:59 PM CDT up 0 recs

I am on the Reed Johnson

train, like the move. Hate to see Murton get moved, guess it is inevitable, however as posted above, and I have stated before, Murton seems to get hits when no runners are on. And when you don't hit for power Murton needs to drive runs in. Hope he gets a good shot, and gets 500+ AB's

"Have You heard of the Boom on Mizar 5?"

by Grockcubs on Mar 25, 2008 6:52 PM CDT 0 recs