Atlanta Braves Bring Home and Resign Free Agent Kelly Johnson
By Jeff Schafer
Per Mark Bowman, the Atlanta Braves beat writer, the Braves have agreed to a one-year deal with outfielder/infielder Kelly Johnson.
Per a source, the #Braves and Kelly Johnson have agreed to a one-year deal that is pending a physical.
— Mark Bowman (@mlbbowman) January 6, 2016
Johnson was originally drafted by the Braves in the 1st round back in 2000 with the 38th pick. He worked his way through the Braves minor league organization playing in the outfield and made his debut with the Braves on May 29, 2005. An elbow injury while making throws from the outfield and later Tommy John surgery sidelined him for the entire 2006 season.
During the offseason, he learned how to play second base to reduce the strain on his arm. From then, – 2007 to 2012 – he was a primary second baseman.
During the 2009 offseason, the Braves decided to grant the then 27-year-old free agency. From there the Arizona Diamondbacks picked him up, then was traded to the Toronto Blue Jays in 2011, signed with the Tampa Bay Rays in 2013, picked up by the New York Yankees during the 2013 offseason, traded to the Boston Red Sox in 2014 and eventually resigned back with the Braves in 2015.
After have a solid first half of 2015, the Braves decided to trade Johnson to a contending team – the New York Mets. After helping the Mets make the World Series in 2015, Johnson was granted free agency on November 2 by the Mets.
That brings us to today – January 6, 2016. The Braves re/resign Kelly Johnson!
The now 33-year-old (will be 34-years-old when the season starts) will give the Braves versatility in the outfield and infield.
In 2015, Johnson played…
Left field
Right field
First base
Second base
Shortstop
Third base
In 2015, Johnson’s at-plate stats look like this…
| Year | Age | G | PA | AB | R | H | 2B | 3B | HR | RBI | SB | BB | SO | BA | OBP | SLG | OPS |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2015 | 33 | 111 | 335 | 310 | 38 | 82 | 11 | 0 | 14 | 47 | 2 | 23 | 81 | .265 | .314 | .435 | .750 |
To sign a guy that brings this much to the table is a sure win for the Braves. The also positive is that he’s a fan favorite with the Braves community and in the locker room. With a team full of young and new faces, he should fit in nicely.
The only contrary argument is that Johnson is another left-handed bat in an already overloaded lefty lineup. This also raises the question about Hector Olivera moving to the outfield, Nick Markakis being traded, Jace Peterson’s spot at second base and Adonis Garcia at third base.
Signing Johnson definitely will give Manager Fredi Gonzalez options for his lineup.
The next move that will most likely be made is the release of outfielder/first baseman Nick Swisher. There is still a chance he is traded, but with $15 million dollar contract ($5 million is paid by the Indians), it will be difficult to trade a guy that has struggled the past two seasons.
The other option for the Braves would be to release Michael Bourn – or trade him. But similar to Swisher, teams will not want to take on his contract. He’s owed $14 million in 2016 ($5 million is paid by the Indians).
Both guys have vesting options for the 2017 season.