Reed Johnson .930 OPS with Marlins

[Millwood1Hitter]

Never understood why we let him go, I understand he didn't perform up to par while here, but was still a solid late inning PH vs lefties and solid outfielder, would have been better to keep than Schafer.

I know, small sample size, but so far he has a .930 OPS with the Marlins in a similiar role, and only 4 K's in 50 ABs. One more homer with the Marlins in173 less at bats than his time with the Braves.

Just another cog in the armor for the Walker/Fletcher tandem where players can't perform to or exceed their norms.

Our bench is pathetic.

[Dalyn]

Completely ridiculous that we didn't bring him back. Even last year (a down year), he had some of the best pinch-hit numbers in the majors. .297 .395 .405 .801

[Dalyn]

This year? .400 .444 .733 1.178

[50PoundHead]

I think the deal is Reed Johnson can't play CF and the team wanted their 4th OF to be someone who could. A rational argument could be made that Heyward could have slid over to CF in the instances when Johnson played, but the team didn't want to go that way.

I don't think Walker/Fletcher have much to do with the downturn of our offense. Gilesfan posted some damning stats the other day which basically point out that our team can't hit fastballs. Our swing-and-miss rate is terrible.

[cajunrevenge]

Why do you care who the 4th outfielder is. You think this team will be lucky to finish 4th in the division. Reed Johnson doesn't fix that.

[CyYoung31]

I think the deal is Reed Johnson can't play CF and the team wanted their 4th OF to be someone who could. A rational argument could be made that Heyward could have slid over to CF in the instances when Johnson played, but the team didn't want to go that way.

I don't think Walker/Fletcher have much to do with the downturn of our offense. Gilesfan posted some damning stats the other day which basically point out that our team can't hit fastballs. Our swing-and-miss rate is terrible.

Reed Johnson can play CF.

[50PoundHead]

Reed Johnson can play CF.

Not very well.

[stpeteirish]

He was a mystery to me. Stuck out way more as a Brave than in his other stops. I'm not much for blaming the hitting coaches, but what other explantion is there?

[nsacpi]

He was a mystery to me. Stuck out way more as a Brave than in his other stops. I'm not much for blaming the hitting coaches, but what other explantion is there?

I think there is a contagion effect. Players feed off each other. If the dominant culture on a team is to do things a certain way it can make a player take an approach he wouldn't do with another team. I watched the Braves taking batting practice last year. Everyone wanted to hit the ball furthest. Even the little guys, including Reed, were taking big hacks. Freddie stood out for working on going the opposite way more than the others did.

Andrelton is one of the ones being hurt by trying to be a power hitter.

[CyYoung31]

Not very well.

Good enough. The Braves utilized him there a lot during his tenure. Are you telling me he is not a better option than Schafer?

[UNCBlue012]

Instead we liked the idea of Schafer and Doumit. Cool.

[CyYoung31]

Instead we liked the idea of Schafer and Doumit. Cool.

Dounit was a good sign. He, just like the rest of our hitters, has seemingly forgot how to hit.

[Julio3000]

Dounit was a good sign. He, just like the rest of our hitters, has seemingly forgot how to hit.

Yeah, I agree. He's sucked so far, but I thought—and still think—he's a good guy to have.

I'd rather have Reed than Weed, though.

[Dalyn]

I like Doumit. Schafer can go suck a joint.

[50PoundHead]

Good enough. The Braves utilized him there a lot during his tenure. Are you telling me he is not a better option than Schafer?

I didn't realize 135 innings over 2 seasons was a lot. The equivalent of 9 whole games.

Here's the deal as I see it. When Gattis became the everyday C, they needed a third guy who could play C. Enter Doumit. They are going to ride B.J. Upton into the ground and Schafer had a better season than Johnson did last season and was poised to make $500,000 less (makes slightly more now, but Johnson likely wasn't going to stay a Brave at a paycut).

Given Doumit's presence, the decision was made to go with a defensive/base running specialist as the 4th OF and Schafer is better at both of those things than Johnson is. I'm not in love with Schafer, but I only ask for logic in the decision-making process and the decision they made was logical. I'd rather have an option better than both Johnson or Schafer, but who is going to agree to play in Atlanta for a million and basically be a bench guy? It's not a situation that is going to generate a ton of interest.

[mossy]

I don't remember Reed doing anything special for us. So I can't even understand why we are arm chairing the decision to bring or not bring him back.

[CyYoung31]

I didn't realize 135 innings over 2 seasons was a lot. The equivalent of 9 whole games.

Here's the deal as I see it. When Gattis became the everyday C, they needed a third guy who could play C. Enter Doumit. They are going to ride B.J. Upton into the ground and Schafer had a better season than Johnson did last season and was poised to make $500,000 less (makes slightly more now, but Johnson likely wasn't going to stay a Brave at a paycut).

Given Doumit's presence, the decision was made to go with a defensive/base running specialist as the 4th OF and Schafer is better at both of those things than Johnson is. I'm not in love with Schafer, but I only ask for logic in the decision-making process and the decision they made was logical. I'd rather have an option better than both Johnson or Schafer, but who is going to agree to play in Atlanta for a million and basically be a bench guy? It's not a situation that is going to generate a ton of interest.

It was a year and a half. And he was injured last year. The point is that he's played CF plenty in his career, has some speed, and hits from the right side to compliment Doumit's left-handed bat (which he's slightly better at than hitting righty). What you said may have been the logic behind the organization's decision, but I can't vouch that Schafer is a better option than Johnson.

[gilesfan]

I think there were a lot of people that loved the acquisition of Reed Johnson, and rightfully so. The guy has a career .312/.366/.489 line vs. lefties, has some speed, and can play centerfield.

When you are looking for a bench bat, there is not much you can get better than that. I get 50s logic and that is probably what the Braves were thinking, but I don't agree with the decision. I like to have a couple guys on the bench that can at least hit; even if it's just vs. lefties or righties. We have no guys that can hit.

[UNCBlue012]

Just adding onto this thread, I've always liked Schafer. Between his speed and defense, I don't understand why he doesn't actually play more. I like Doumit, but he's such a solid outfielder, that I want him out there.

[gilesfan]

Just adding onto this thread, I've always liked Schafer. Between his speed and defense, I don't understand why he doesn't actually play more. I like Doumit, but he's such a solid outfielder, that I want him out there.

Because he can't hit a lick.