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AP - Shannon Stewart appears to have won the job as the Blue Jays

This coming season is a win-win for Jays fans. If the team wins and makes the post season, I'm happy. If the team stays in mediocrity as always then JP and Gibbons get fired.

Go Jays...

I liked Reed as a player, but think he's better suited to be a 4th outfielder type. He'll definitely get picked up by somebody. Seems more like an NL player, can do a lot of the little things that need to create runs in the NL. In the AL, your corner spots are for power hitters.

i hope the cubs consider him as a 4th outfielder

i thought Lind was gonna play LF for the B.Jays?

Low-Ki wrote:I liked Reed as a player, but think he's better suited to be a 4th outfielder type. He'll definitely get picked up by somebody. Seems more like an NL player, can do a lot of the little things that need to create runs in the NL. In the AL, your corner spots are for power hitters.

He is a solid 4th outfielder/platoon guy, but two years ago (before his back injury) he put up fairly gaudy numbers: an OPS+ of 124 in 461 ABs, while providing excellent defense. I'm rather surprised that Toronto released him...the Jays now have a left field platoon of Shannon Stewart and Matt Stairs. Ugh.

What about Adam Lind?

I'm not sure Lind is quite ready, but I think he's going to get there. Given that I'm fairly confident Toronto's current left field situation is going to fall apart rather quickly, he'll be given his shot soon enough.

Mr. Wonderful wrote:What about Adam Lind?

Lind's starting the season in triple A but as soon as an injury goes down in the out field he'll get called up.

imo, lind is quite ready, he just struggled with his batting avg in the majors, but he did pop 11 homers last season in a little over 200 at bats. imo, the jays should start him off on the bench

A.J. wrote:imo, lind is quite ready, he just struggled with his batting avg in the majors, but he did pop 11 homers last season in a little over 200 at bats. imo, the jays should start him off on the bench

The power was decent, but he put up a .278 OBP% in 290 at-bats, so it's not like he was earning his time.
I think he'll be starting by May 1, though.

Would Reed make a good "Minor League Free Agent" guy? Or is he too good for that?

I'd kind of like to see the Tigers get him for Toledo if the 1st question is the case.

chrbal wrote:Would Reed make a good "Minor League Free Agent" guy? Or is he too good for that?

I'd kind of like to see the Tigers get him for Toledo if the 1st question is the case.

He's good enough to at least get a bench job somewhere, i'm guessing.

Although honestly, he might be good enough to challenge Thames for a spot in that ugly little platoon you guys have going in LF. You'd be trading power for a OBP boost, basically. Might be worth looking into.

great 4th OF
hustler all the way
im sad to see this news
his injury might have been a concern, but id rather have reed than stewart in left

http://blogs.chicagosports.chicagotribu ... -reed.html

The Cubs signed Reed Johnson on a one-year deal for $1.3 million guaranteed.

He is going to bat against LHP. Pie will bat against RHP

On a related note, Brewers released Claudio Vargas. Just as average of a player as Reed Johnson is.

Johnson is best in a platoon role where he only sees LHP, I remember when it was him and Catalanatto in LF, I loved that little duo.

Basically played everyone once in a while Johnson can hit .300 but if he plays everyday he's lucky to hit .270

The Rockies released Marcus Giles, who was having a pretty good spring. Anyone in need of a 2B?

It seems like most teams through out the league have someone set at 2B, if not they have someone coming down the pipe.