blueagleace1
Playing the Waiting Game
Trust me, I am not wanting Chris Johnson back for anything. My point was, why go with Freese when you could get Johnson for league minimum or close to it.
Potential Late-Signing Targets
- Thread starter clvclv
- Start date
Trust me, I am not wanting Chris Johnson back for anything. My point was, why go with Freese when you could get Johnson for league minimum or close to it.
GovClintonTyree
<B>Vencer a Los Doyers</B>
Can someone help me out and explain to me how Chris is a problem in the clubhouse? Obviously he has a temper, but so what? Is there anything else?
blueagleace1
Playing the Waiting Game
Where did I mention anything about him being a problem in the clubhouse?
rico43
<B>Director of Minor League Reports</B>
This is from late September of 2013:
ATLANTA -- First-base coach Terry Pendleton and third baseman Chris Johnson shared a heated exchange in the dugout following the 5-4 loss the Braves suffered against the Phillies on Saturday night at Turner Field.
After making a headfirst slide into first base that did not beat the throw Jimmy Rollins made to complete a spectacular game-ending defensive gem, Johnson walked down the dugout stairs in a composed manner before throwing his batting helmet in frustration. It inadvertently hit Pendleton.
An incensed Pendleton grabbed Johnson by the jersey and offered a few heated words before both individuals pushed themselves away from each other. Johnson grabbed some items off the bench before Pendleton once again attempted to grab him.
Johnson and Pendleton chose not to comment.
A team official said the incident did not escalate any further once Pendleton and Johnson went to the clubhouse.
Pendleton's anger was fueled by the fact that this was not the first time the emotional Johnson has thrown a helmet that has either hit or nearly hit someone in the dugout.
ATLANTA -- First-base coach Terry Pendleton and third baseman Chris Johnson shared a heated exchange in the dugout following the 5-4 loss the Braves suffered against the Phillies on Saturday night at Turner Field.
After making a headfirst slide into first base that did not beat the throw Jimmy Rollins made to complete a spectacular game-ending defensive gem, Johnson walked down the dugout stairs in a composed manner before throwing his batting helmet in frustration. It inadvertently hit Pendleton.
An incensed Pendleton grabbed Johnson by the jersey and offered a few heated words before both individuals pushed themselves away from each other. Johnson grabbed some items off the bench before Pendleton once again attempted to grab him.
Johnson and Pendleton chose not to comment.
A team official said the incident did not escalate any further once Pendleton and Johnson went to the clubhouse.
Pendleton's anger was fueled by the fact that this was not the first time the emotional Johnson has thrown a helmet that has either hit or nearly hit someone in the dugout.
You mean besides the fact that CJ is terrible and actually worth negative WAR, while Freese is an average MLB player that is typically worth about 2 WAR?
Other than that small reason, I got nothing. I'm not sure how you can possibly equate acquiring CJ to Freese, but I suppose it might make sense to you since they both stand next to 3b.
blueagleace1
Playing the Waiting Game
The difference is COST.
GovClintonTyree
<B>Vencer a Los Doyers</B>
Mossy and Fiddy did on the "Who didn't see this coming" thread.
I do not dislike him as much as many on here. I think he's adequate defensively and a terrific line drive hitter, especially against LH pitching. Give him a breather with Bonifacio against some RHers and I'd bet the guy hits .310 with an absurdly high LD rate.
He's a flawed player, but not without his charms. He's a useful piece for a smart GM.
GovClintonTyree
<B>Vencer a Los Doyers</B>
Yeah, I remember that. Just didn't think it rose to the level of a baseball felony.
blueagleace1
Playing the Waiting Game
I tend to agree and would prefer him to Freese (like some are mentioning they'd like to see) mainly because of what he'd cost.
Yeah. Obviously, I would prefer Freese -- he's clearly the more talented player and he's also apparently quite the professional. However, given that it makes ZERO sense for the Braves to spend on marginal talent right now, I would consider Johnson as it's likely he will be available for pennies on the dollar. That said, it will be interesting to see how the market will ultimately flesh out. Freese could yet become an affordable option ... in the neighborhood of $4-8MM per annum on a two year deal.
bravesfanMatt
Steve Harvey'd
CJ is being paid by the Tribe for the next two years.. anyone who picks him up will pay him a league minimum salary while the tribe pay him the rest. that being said, CJ will never come back to the Braves, because the fans hated him. Some team will pick him up this year as a platoon/pinch hitter type player.. then release him again next off season. I seriously doubt he ever does anything special again. Let it go guys..
Russ2dollas
10 yr, $185 million Extension
I think Freese make sense. Just depends on how you value him and the FO goals.
They say they are not tanking. There isn't an obvious 1A player worth tanking for now. They say they want to be solid in 16 and compete in 17.
Best case scenario at 3B is Ruiz putting it all together 2 years from now. So unless they think Garcia or Olivera is the man at 3B (and we know it's not Olivera based on quick yank to LF) then a 2-3 year deal for Freese makes sense to me.
I don't pretend to know a ton about Freese. But if you think he's a 2 WAR player per year over the next 2-3 years and you can grab him under 10 million.....why not? That should be a tradeable deal. We have money this year so maybe you can front load some money and make it really tradeable later.
Not looking at him only makes sense to me if you are really tanking or you think Garcia is going to be a comparable player.
50PoundHead
Hessmania Forever
Anyone who throws tantrums like Johnson is a distraction. Believe me. I was a guy who threw tantrums and was told to sit down and shut up more than once.
Plus, Johnson was whining last summer when he became a platoon player. He made it clear he wanted out of Atlanta. Why bring him back?
And he's not adequate defensively. He's terrible defensively.
If you can get Freese for a year, I think you do it. Freese is likely to want a longer-term deal, so it's probably a waiting game with him. I wouldn't be averse to bringing back Uribe and/or Kelly Johnson.
This thread is about signing guys late in the offseason, which I assumed to mean they would be coming at a discount. Obviously the Braves shouldn't sign him to the 3/30 deal he is "worth", but if he can be had for something around half that price I think they should grab him.
And to call CJ "adequate defensively" is simply not accurate.
blueagleace1
Playing the Waiting Game
I'm sorry but I don't recall saying he was an adequate defender. Freese is clearly the superior player, and honestly could help a contender.
blueagleace1
Playing the Waiting Game
You're exactly right Hawk! To me, and only my opinion, any "major/quality" FA signing needs to move the needle and benefit us in 2018/2019 more so than 2016 (and even 2017). Freese is a nice piece and would benefit a number of teams who need just that little extra to put them into contention or would be an upgrade of what they have currently available (Ex: Houston and Pittsburg to an extent -depending how they view Kang-) but that's not us. Again, just my opinion, but we need to be shopping in the discount isle with the intention of flipping whomever we sign. We don't want to turn into Miami and sign a guy to a 3-4 year deal and then trade him, giving us that reputation and scaring away potential FA. With it being apparent we aren't/can't go after Upton/Cespedes/Gordon (who would all help us in 2017-2019) I just don't see where any other possible "major" FA (from an offensive standpoint) benefits us when we start contending again.
blueagleace1
Playing the Waiting Game
Yes sir, correct. Please see my post above.
Freese is kind of a (very) poor man's Scott Rolen. Likely to age well, he could still prove to be a useful bench piece in the later years of a contract for a contending 2017/18 Atlanta team assuming Ruiz rebounds, Olivera is utilized at 3B, or the Braves make a FA or trade acquisition at the position. The more I chew on the idea, the more I like it (especially if he could also be used to occasionally spell Freddie at 1B, although it does not appear he has much, if any, experience there) -- with the major caveat being price.
