Deadline Decisions Loom for the Braves
Jun 10, 2015; Atlanta, GA, USA; Atlanta Braves Kelly Johnson (24) avoids a pitch as San Diego Padres catcher Austin Hedges (18) is shown on the play in the second inning of their game at Turner Field. The Braves won 4-1. Mandatory Credit: Jason Getz-USA TODAY Sports
Out of all the veterans the Braves signed short term, Kelly Johnson has arguably been the most important. A lengthy DL stint has me wondering just how much better the return for Kelly would be if he were healthy, as his .275/.315/.456 line is really solid, and 9 homers isn’t too shabby. Maybe more importantly though has been his ability to fill in across the diamond: KJ has been basically the everyday first baseman in the absence of Freddie Freeman, and has eaten more than a few innings at third base, left field, right field, and even second base.
Potential Landing Spots: Los Angeles (AL), Minnesota, Pittsburgh
This versatility is appealing to clubs. And so is the slugging percentage. The Angels also happen to have a big, glaring hole in offensive production in LF. This is where it gets interesting. Could Pierzynski and KJ prove to be a double whammy for Los Angeles? 3 of their top 5 hitters, rated by fWAR, are right handed. Kelly Johnson could provide that left handed pop to a left field black hole alongside AJ’s LH compliment to Ianetta.
Kelly is worth more than AJ, plain and simple. If the package would get a better overall prospect as a 2 for 1 deal, I think Hart makes that deal. But if I’m just trying to predict here, I’ll say Kelly Johnson and AJ Pierzynski for Cory Rasmus, Andrew Daniel, and Victor Alancantra.
Alancantra is tall and slender right hander out of the Dominican Republic, who like many Latin prospects, is a bit raw and will likely land in the bullpen because of it. His walk rates are troubling, but his strikeout rates show off his potential. 84 strikeouts as opposed to 34 walks in 81.2 innings so far in 2015.
Daniel is a bat first second baseman currently in A+ ball with the Angels who might need some special attention to ever blossom into a major league player. He has decent speed, but his reputation as a mediocre defender doesn’t bode well at already 22. He would be the lower end, even more experimental name in the pickup.
Next: About That Other Johnson...