Cubs outfield more flexible with Reed Johnson -- Baseball, Chic...

Cubs fans who still have their fake Matt Clement beards can bring them out of mothballs now that Reed Johnson is on the North Side.

[ty welke]

RJ sounds like exactly what Cubs need w/o losing any young talent. I think Murton stays as a PH supreme unless some AL team really wants him as a DH and gives up something of value for him. Cedeno is out of options and better defensively than AC or MF. He has too much talent to "give away". With a strong bench offense of RJ, MM and DW and strong defense from RC and HB we have our 5 extra position players. All in all, is is a pretty solid roster to open 2008.

[rakmessiah]

I like the pickup for the outfield, BUT WHAT ABOUT AN EVERYDAY LEADOFF GUY.
I'm tired of gettin by, go for it. Get Roberts and lets WIN some playoff games too.

[Bink]

"Extremely good hitter especially against left-handed pitchers" this may change after he puts on Cubbie Blue, you know modern day curse..WE can't hit leftties

[Mike]

Who the heck is Reed Johnson? Did we just sign a pretzel vendor?

[JohnS]

I'm a little worried about the Cubs bench....I'd like to keep 6 position players (2 outfield, 2 infield, catcher, pinch hitter) but this is not possible with 12 pitchers and a 25 player limit. Does this leave Murton out? He is a good/solid player, but maybe not in Chicago given the numbers game.

[John]

I like Murton and Fontenot. Cedeno looks good for a while, then he forgets how to hit the ball. But if I had to put money on it Lou/Hendry will go with Murton and Cedeno. Felix Pie could be very good or another Patterson but let's give him a shot as the every day CF and see how it goes. Reed Johnson - see definition of "journeyman".

[Max]

Mike wrote:

Who the heck is Reed Johnson? Did we just sign a pretzel vendor?

Maybe you should learn a couple of things about baseball before you post. I'm not surprised, though, since its a common thing on the trib forum.

Johnson can play center and hit lefties. Thats something that Pie has trouble doing. The Cubs are most likely giving themselves a platoon option if Pie stinks against lefties (which, no doubt, he will).

[HarleyRider]

I was skeptical about Johnson until I read what he did in the game yesterday. 2 for 5,stole a base , and scored twice. Okay, he lost a flyball in the bright sunlight. It happens.Especially when a new guy is trying extra hard to look good.

I hate to see Murton go, but the smaller and lighter Johnson obviously has center field speed that MM does not have.

Johnson hits RH,plays LF,CF,RF,steals bases and could also leadoff.

Cedeno hits RH, plays 3rd,SS,2nd, and maybe some outfield. Has speed.

Ward hits power LH,and plays 1stbase and RF.

Fontenot would be the other LH batter, and plays 2nd,SS, and 3rd. He also has speed.(I think Cintron is a switch hitter[?], and plays the same positions, but he has had a few injury problems that have kept him out of games this spring. It's hard to say.)

Blanco hits RH and is an excellent defensive catcher, as well as emergency 1st base, which he proved last year. Without Murton, however, who will be the "3rd emergency catcher" ? Marmol, a former catcher?
I don't think they want to risk an excellent pitcher behind the plate.

Do they still want Roberts? If so, trade Murton, Cintron and a minor league pitching prospect(maybe Lahey
or Gallahger). It might take both.
Then, does DeRosa sub or play his original major league position of SS ? Then it's back to a competition between Fontenot,Cedeno, and Theriot to occupy 2 bench positions. Word has it that Cedeno was one player wanted by Baltimore in a Roberts deal, but if that happens you only have one reserve outfielder in Johnson. Ward only plays RF, and does not have the speed
for the other positions.

[Fred]

Bink wrote:

"Extremely good hitter especially against left-handed pitchers" this may change after he puts on Cubbie Blue, you know modern day curse..WE can't hit leftties

When did you start batting ? Get over it.

[Mike]

Max wrote:

<quoted text>
Maybe you should learn a couple of things about baseball before you post. I'm not surprised, though, since its a common thing on the trib forum.
Johnson can play center and hit lefties. Thats something that Pie has trouble doing. The Cubs are most likely giving themselves a platoon option if Pie stinks against lefties (which, no doubt, he will).

Max, maybe you should learn sarcasm. The guy is a nobody. If he was so good then why did Toronto cut him instead of getting something for him. Read between the lines before you post please.

[Joe Pudlo]

Went to spring training in Arizona.
Fukedome looked weak at the plate.
Pie?????. Wonder if he will ever hit major league pitching.
Now we get Johnson, whom Toronto released. Another cast off, who will get to play because of poor hitting of Fukedome and Pie.
Better keep Matt Murton around. He can swing the bat.

[Mike]

Mike wrote:

<quoted text>
Max, maybe you should learn sarcasm. The guy is a nobody. If he was so good then why did Toronto cut him instead of getting something for him. Read between the lines before you post please.

The Red Sox, Rays, Rangers and Mets were also interested in Johnson. Read between those line (i.e. why would a World Championship team want "a nobody"?).

Plus, he's a platoon player. How many platoon players are household names? I don't know too much about the guy either, but I took a look at his career numbers and he can hit left handers very well.

Overall, who cares? He's just more insurance for Pie & Fukudome.

[Brady]

Mike wrote:

<quoted text>
The Red Sox, Rays, Rangers and Mets were also interested in Johnson. Read between those line (i.e. why would a World Championship team want "a nobody"?).
Plus, he's a platoon player. How many platoon players are household names? I don't know too much about the guy either, but I took a look at his career numbers and he can hit left handers very well.
Overall, who cares? He's just more insurance for Pie & Fukudome.

I live just south of Toronto and therefore forced to watch many of their games. Reed Johnson, for the past two years has provided highlight after highlight on this team. Extremely tough competitor, timely hitter, difference maker. I am very pleased to see him sign with the Cubs. Very clutch hitter.

[Josko]

Reed, welcome to the Cubs- we have known anmd watched you since Temecula HS in Temecula, CA through CS Fullerton and the Toronto Blue Jays - your an asset - welcome