Atlanta Braves: Selling Chris Johnson

Jun 6, 2015; Atlanta, GA, USA; Atlanta Braves third baseman Chris Johnson (23) celebrates a home run with first baseman Freddie Freeman (5) against the Pittsburgh Pirates in the second inning at Turner Field. Mandatory Credit: Brett Davis-USA TODAY Sports

Time to Move

So word came this week that the braves have apparently renewed efforts to move Johnson.  Witness this from Jon Heyman:

"Atlanta has tried to trade third baseman Chris Johnson, even offering to substantially pay down his contract. Johnson is a solid player, but extending at $23.5 million over three years after acquiring him in the Justin Upton trade was a mistake."

I could personally see both sides of the argument against extending Johnson last year (on Frank Wren’s watch).  The deal wasn’t horrible:  2015-2017 for $23.5 million plus a 2018 option that has a $1 million buyout attached.  If it weren’t for other factors, that could actually look fairly economical, especially since quality third basemen have been difficult to locate.

The “other factors”, of course, include the fact that Johnson just cannot seem to hit a right-handed pitcher at all (.137 for the year vs. .385 against southpaws).  On top of that, Uribe’s performance is making is look like a mistake to ever have Johnson on the field… aside from a couple of key errors this week.

So at this point in the season, Johnson is owed $3.6 million more in 2015, plus $17.5 million more to buyout his deal:  That’s $21.1 million.

What would a “substantial” buy-down look like?  Probably somewhere between two-thirds and three-quarters of it:  maybe $14-16 million.

Who would be willing to take Johnson, then?  Ah, that’s the question:  let’s take a look around the league.

Next: Is There a Market for Johnson?