Good Chance Kelly Johnson Will be Back

turner10 · Post #1 » by **turner10** » Wed Dec 7, 2011 8:15 pm

ShiDavidi Shi Davidi
Without getting into specifics, AA says there's a "good chance" Kelly Johnson will be back.

WpgPage · Post #2 » by **WpgPage** » Wed Dec 7, 2011 8:25 pm

I actually would have liked the pick in this final year were we can game the system but having him back is not a bad thing at all. Also would have been interesting to see what AA would have been able to pull out of his Hat to solve this problem. Hes got an pretty good track record of filling the holes at the Major league level
3B Lawrie
CF Rasmus
Would have been interested to see how he managed to pry a Kipins or Weeks away from another team.

Michael Bradley · Post #3 » by **Michael Bradley** » Wed Dec 7, 2011 8:27 pm

I hope so. Johnson is the best 2B option on the market right now. If the team has any intention of being good in 2012, then Johnson is worth more than the picks.

Waylon Mercy · Post #4 » by **Waylon Mercy** » Wed Dec 7, 2011 8:29 pm

Good news

LBJSeizedMyID · Post #5 » by **LBJSeizedMyID** » Wed Dec 7, 2011 8:31 pm

I thought that the Indians news was a trade involving Kipnis with Thames or Lind going the other way. But I like the KJ signing as I mentioned in the off season thread. He's the best option we had and had much more upside than the guys being mentioned.

tecumseh18 · Post #6 » by **tecumseh18** » Wed Dec 7, 2011 8:32 pm

"Win now" mentality. Gotta love it. Hmm, what other transaction would be consistent with this approach?

Slightly OT, but is the cap for signing draft picks in the first 10 rounds static under the new CBA, regardless of how many picks a team has?

Avenger · Post #7 » by **Avenger** » Wed Dec 7, 2011 8:35 pm

LBJSeizedMyID wrote:I thought that the Indians news was a trade involving Kipnis with Thames or Lind going the other way. But I like the KJ signing as I mentioned in the off season thread. He's the best option we had and had much more upside than the guys being mentioned.

link? i'm not saying you're wrong, i haven't been playing close attention to the rumor mill in the last couple of days.

That would be an absurd trade BTW, Kipnis is a stud, not quite on Lawrie's level but he's pretty close. There's no way the Indians trade him for a bum like Lind or a mediocre outfielder like Thames.

Avenger · Post #8 » by **Avenger** » Wed Dec 7, 2011 8:39 pm

Anyway, KJ coming back is probably the best news of the offseason. Add one dependable starter and a trade for a mediocre 1B(like a Gaby Sanchez) and we're guaranteed meaningful August baseball.

LBJSeizedMyID · Post #9 » by **LBJSeizedMyID** » Wed Dec 7, 2011 8:42 pm

Sorry, I worded that very poorly. That was just my guess when I read that Cleveland had a trade in the works that could surprise people. Kipnis was a prospect but he kinda exploded out of the gates when he was first called up. I don't think he's a stud per say, but does have 20/20 potential.

The Indians have said they were looking for a first baseman and left fielder hence my internal trade machine working and spewing out what I did.

Hendrix · Post #10 » by **Hendrix** » Wed Dec 7, 2011 9:05 pm

This would be amazing news. Just need to add a SP, and a 1b and we're in contention imo.

Strav · Post #11 » by **Strav** » Wed Dec 7, 2011 9:12 pm

lots of writers think the Jays should go after Gio via trade since he's available. I like the fit too. Nice indeed if KJ is coming back.

Skin Blues · Post #12 » by **Skin Blues** » Wed Dec 7, 2011 9:22 pm

I'd prefer trading for somebody and taking the picks. We talk flippantly about it like "it's just picks" but they're worth a ton of money, and there's no way that opportunity cost will be recouped. Unless this is a long-term deal with KJ for a very reasonable price, but what are the chances of that?

mikero · Post #13 » by **mikero** » Wed Dec 7, 2011 9:24 pm

I'd be happy to see KJ back, hopefully on a multiyear deal. That would give the Jays a pretty solid lineup, with no real weak links in the batting order.

turner10 · Post #14 » by **turner10** » Wed Dec 7, 2011 9:33 pm

don't mind Kelly coming back..now we need a quality starter and another solid bat in my opinion..should try to acquire Gio Gonzalez somehow...maybe Yu Darvish...never know what AA has on the table right now though haha

turner10 · Post #15 » by **turner10** » Wed Dec 7, 2011 9:34 pm

ShiDavidi Shi Davidi
AA says if Kelly Johnson returns, does not necessarily preclude another 2B acquisition. Johnson can always play some LF, AA points out.

hmm.

Skin Blues · Post #16 » by **Skin Blues** » Wed Dec 7, 2011 9:37 pm

If we bring back KJ it's not to play LF. Just a bargaining chip to say "we don't really need you, we can find another 2B".

Michael Bradley · Post #17 » by **Michael Bradley** » Wed Dec 7, 2011 9:40 pm

The only 2B option that would make it worthwhile to have an infielder like Johnson play LF would be Hanley Ramirez (and he apparently only wants to play SS) and even then I'd rather trade Johnson after signing him than play him in the OF.

Sign Johnson, keep him at 2B, and go get a real 1B.

kwamebargnani · Post #18 » by **kwamebargnani** » Wed Dec 7, 2011 9:47 pm

KJ in LF is absolutely useless.

LBJSeizedMyID · Post #19 » by **LBJSeizedMyID** » Wed Dec 7, 2011 10:24 pm

Skin Blues wrote:If we bring back KJ it's not to play LF. Just a bargaining chip to say "we don't really need you, we can find another 2B".

Exactly.

silverhill27 · Post #20 » by **silverhill27** » Wed Dec 7, 2011 10:27 pm

I'm starting to think this is a ploy by AA and KJ's agent to get other teams to up their offers. When is AA so open about things? AA wants the picks.