Monday, May 23, 2011

Former Yankees: Nick Johnson

Nick Johnson was a returning Yankee in 2010 and the Yankees 3rd choice for DH after Johnny Damon and Hideki Matsui signed elsewhere. Johnson filled the number 2 spot with his very high OBP, as he had finished 2009 with a .426 OBP and the Yankees hoped he could stay healthy now that he would be primarily playing DH. Johnson played 24 games and batted only .168 with a .388 OBP  which was his lowest since 2004. Johnson hurt himself in May and never played another game all year.
This year Johnson drew no interest, but did eventually sign a minor league deal with the Cleveland Indians and has yet to play a single minor league game. There is really not much to say about Johnson, he is only 32, but his frequent injuries could mean that he is done in baseball. On top of that Indians first baseman Matt LaPorta is hitting decently this year and unless Johnson tears it up he will likely stay in AAA or opt out of his minor league deal. That being said Johnsons high OBP could still interest some teams looking for a cheap 1B or DH or as we get later in the year a team that just wants to have somebody at 1B. Unfortunately for Johnson he doesn't even have the option to go to Japan as his health issues wont stay in the US.

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