Mets Sign Johnson

At Mets.com they write about the signing of Ben Johnson:

The New York Mets announced today they have signed outfielder Ben Johnson to a minor league contract and invited him to spring training.

Johnson, 26, batted .185 (5-27) with one double and one RBI in nine games last season with New York. He made five starts in leftfield and two in rightfield for the Mets. In addition, the 6-1, 229-pounder hit .271 (51-188) with 26 runs scored, 10 doubles, two home runs and 12 RBI in 53 contests with New Orleans (AAA) of the Pacific Coast League.

Nick Johnson Might Be Available

Over at the Gotham Nation Forum, Shiner (screen name), puts up a good idea for a First Baseman other than Delgado and a situation where he might lift his no trade clause:

So with first baseman Dmitri Young evolving this past year as a solid hitter and the fact that the Nationals don't spend a ton of money but are committed for a couple of years to Nick Johnson, should they try and move one of them, particularly Nick Johnson since they owe him millions?

If I were the Mets I'd toy with offers. Nick is a solid player, defensively and offensively. Delgado's age and hand injury proved to me that he is going to be a .250 hitter that can't hit an inside-part-of-the-plate pitch. I think with the addition of a broken hand to an already unhealthy hand, Delgado is pretty bad hitter to have in the heart of your batting order. Unfortunately the Mets are committed. But I think they can use a guy that can hit around .300 in that spot. This would never happen because the way teams operate is based on salary instead of production. But If I were GM, I'd say too bad and look to acquire a better first baseman via trade. Then when Delgado starts whining that he is on the bench, maybe he'll lift his no trade clause and the Mets can try and move him for relief help. Offer to pay most of Delgado's salary; they have to pay it anyway.

Nick Johnson doesn't strike me as someone who would "get bored with all the Mets talent". The guy has the attitude the Mets need. People complain about Johnson's injuries, but the broken leg isn't some reoccurring problem. It was a freak accident.

Minor League Update: Ben Johnson

At Rotoworld they write about Ben Johnson and his season ending surgery:

Outfielder Ben Johnson suffered a broken ankle while playing for Triple-A New Orleans.

Johnson will undergo season ending surgery on Monday. He should be fully recovered in time for spring training.

Mets Name HoJo New Hitting Coach

from bleedorangeandblue.blogspot.com
Yahoo Sports Reports:

Howard Johnson will be named hitting coach of the New York Mets on Friday, getting the nod over Rickey Henderson, who will coach first base, baseball sources said.

Ninth in the National League in runs after finishing third in the NL last season, the Mets fired hitting coach Rick Down during the All-Star break and interviewed Henderson in San Francisco this week.

General manager Omar Minaya decided Friday morning that Johnson, who managed and served as hitting instructor in the Mets organization before being named the parent club's first-base coach before the season, would be best suited to replace Down.

This is a very smart move and Rickey Henderson will probably be a great first base coach because he is the greatest stealer in the history of baseball.

-Tommy From Bleed Orange And Blue

Green Is Back

Matthew Cerrone at Mets Blog, writes about Shawn Green being activated:

The Mets have activated OF Shawn Green from the disabled list, and sent Ben Johnson back to Triple-A New Oreleans.

Green last played on May 25, at which point he had been hitting .314 with five HR and 22 RBI in 45 games.

Blood In The Water

If any Met fan has been living under a rock for the last three weeks or so, then they didn’t know that the Mets have had a swarm of injury bugs biting at them. Although the team has continued to push forward without some of the key bats in the lineup, signs of weakness are starting to shine through.

With Valentin, Alou and Green on the disabled list and Beltran day to day, the seemingly impenetrable batting line up that the Mets boast, looks almost mortal now. We have Easley, Johnson, Chavez and Gomez manning their positions for the time being. This, however, has taken a huge bite out of the deep bench and, let’s faces it, they just aren’t sufficient replacements for their starting counter parts.

Teams have noticed this, and for the first time this season are getting a pretty good whiff of the blood in the water.

On Tuesday, the Mets are getting set to face the Phillies. If, at least, Beltran isn’t in the lineup, they are going to have a huge problem in defeating them.

We need our starters and we need them quick.

Minor League Tracker: Ben Johnson

Matthew Cerrone at Mets Blog, writes about Ben Johnson back in action:

Mets Triple-A OF Ben Johnson returned to the Zephyrs’s lineup last night, going 2–for-5.

Johnson missed four weeks after injuring his shoulder, diving for a fly-ball. The 25–year-old outfielder entered yesterday’s game hitting .240 in just eight games.

Who Should Come Up?

The Mets are seemingly falling from the sky at this point. They’re now a half a game out of first place to the Braves and it doesn’t look like it’s going to get any easier. If this is truly our season, why can’t the Mets seem to gain any ground and separate themselves from the rest of the pack.

Now Moises Alou might go on the Disabled List. That leaves yet another gap to be filled by a player from the Minors. At this rate, we might as well be called the New York Zephyrs. So I guess we now have to sit around and wonder who might take his spot. With Endy Chavez ready to take over the playing time for Alou in right field, the Mets only need a bench player. Though this is going to weaken the bench more, it seems inevitable.

Let’s take a look at the potential roster filler from Triple A:

Carlos Gomez is doing what you want one of your star prospects doing, dominating. In twenty five games and ninety three at bats, Gomez in hitting.301, with 7 doubles, 2 triples, 9 RBI’s, and has an on base percentage of .387.

The Mets might not opt to bring the quick footed Gomez up to the Majors just yet, in fear of taking away consistent at bats from the prized prospect. So I’d give this option up, as it would take Green and Beltran going down at the same time as Alou to bring Gomez up to the Mets roster.

Ben Johnson isn’t faring too well in Triple A this year. Hitting only.238 in 28 at bats. He’s only sporting 1 double and 4 RBI’s so far. So I think it’s safe to say, Johnson is going nowhere but the Zephyr’s bus to face the next Triple A team.

Ricky Ledee is doing a mediocre job with the Zephyrs this season. Hitting .288 in 59 at bats. He’s also got 1 home run, 2 doubles and 13 RBI’s. If anybody, Ledee is going to be the one called up. He’s a veteran, and in no way is he viewed as a prized possession by the Mets.

So after the look at the three possibilities, it seems as though, Ricky Ledee better pack his bags and say goodbye to the youngsters for a little while because he’s going to be riding the pine for the Mets for a week or two.

Newhan Over Johnson

At Rotoworld they write about David Newhan having the edge over Ben Johnson to be the fifth outfielder:

The New York Daily News believes David Newhan has an edge over Ben Johnson for the final spot on the Mets' bench.

It'd be a downgrade if true. Newhan has the obvious edge when it comes to versatility, but Johnson's power would be useful on a team whose top two pinch-hitters -- Endy Chavez and Julio Franco -- combined for six homers in more than 500 at-bats last year. We're already skeptical about the trade with the Padres that brought in Johnson, as Royce Ring could very well outpitch Scott Schoeneweis over the next three years for about one-tenth of the money.

Johnson just wants a shot

John Delcos at the Journal News, writes about Ben Johnson and how all he wants is a shot to play for the Mets this season:

"I feel as a major-league player, I should give something back," the Mets' outfielder said at a recent charity fundraiser in Manhattan.

"I wanted to do this to show I care about my new city."

But inside two weeks prior to spring training, Johnson - acquired in a trade this winter from San Diego - has no idea how much he'll play in his new city.

Considering the fragility of Moises Alou and Shawn Green, an educated guess is that even in a reserve role, Johnson will get more than the 120 at-bats he had last year and produce more than the .250 average, four homers and 12 RBI he gave the Padres.

"Nobody has said anything," Johnson said. "I don't expect to be handed anything. Do I think of what I could do if given 400 at-bats? Of course I do. If I got 400 at-bats, I think I could do some damage."

Who is Ben Johnson

John Delcos at The Journal News writes a profile on the Mets pick up from San Diego, Ben Johnson:

But inside two weeks prior to spring training, Johnson - acquired in a trade this winter from San Diego - has no idea how much he'll play in his new city.

Considering the fragility of Moises Alou and Shawn Green, an educated guess is that even in a reserve role, Johnson will get more than the 120 at-bats he had last year and produce more than the .250 average, four homers and 12 RBI he gave the Padres.

"Nobody has said anything," Johnson said. "I don't expect to be handed anything. Do I think of what I could do if given 400 at-bats? Of course I do. If I got 400 at-bats, I think I could do some damage."

"He is versatile and plays all three outfield spots," general manager Omar Minaya said. "We feel he has yet to reach his potential."

Whatever Johnson's ceiling, the Mets don't believe it is as high as that of Lastings Milledge, whom the team wouldn't deal in reported trade talks with Oakland for Danny Haren and Rich Harden. Previously, the Mets had held on to Milledge when the incoming names would have been Barry Zito and Manny Ramirez.

The question the Mets have to answer

The Mets are in quite the conundrum right now. They have 7 outfielders and only 3 starting pitchers.

There is however some options they have in front of them. They can send Ben Johnson and Lastings Milledge down to the Minors and would be left with the 3 starting outfielders and 2 reserve and let the prospects come up and try for the 4th and 5th starter's jobs. The second choice in this would be to trade either Milledge or Johnson in a package for a pitcher and then let the prospects try out for the 5th and final vacant spot in the rotation.

This is a hard question to answer, because not many teams know Johnson and Milledge's value has taken a ride on a bunge jump because of his attitude and play last season. And on the other side of the spectrum, the Mets aren't sure if they can trust next season to a couple of first round draft picks and former ace.

I say, just let the kids pitch and send Milledge and Johnson to New Orleans for the season. If there's a need for them later than bring them up, but until then let them further hone their skills for when the Mets need them full time.

So go on Pelfrey, Humber and Perez. Show the Mets why they shouldn't trade for a pitcher who is going to put them in handcuffs for seasons to come. Show them why they drafted you and traded for you. The Mets fan believe in you.

Johnson a better option than Newhan

At Rotoworld, writes about David Newhan and they feel that Ben Johnson is a better fit for than the bench:

Free agent David Newhan is likely to sign with the Mets, according to SI.com's Jon Heyman.

It's got to be a minor league deal. The Mets already have four locks for the bench in Endy Chavez, Julio Franco, Damion Easley and Ramon Castro, and Ben Johnson is a far better option as a fifth outfielder than Newhan, a career .256/.315/.386 hitter.

Johnson to reunite with Wright

Bryan Hoch at Mets.com, writes abut Howard Johnson getting the first base coaching job and how David Wright views him:

"I had to learn how to play all three positions at Shea Stadium," Johnson said. "They're all unique. Based on that experience and really having to start from scratch, and get a feel for it and put it into practice in games, that will really help me. I can relate to guys."

Johnson said he was grateful for the opportunity to reunite with some of his former pupils from the Minors, including third baseman David Wright, who looks to Johnson as a sort of father figure. Johnson said that Wright received the third telephone call he made to relay the news, only behind his wife and parents.

Mets new coach is HoJo

Matthew Cerrone at Metsblog, writes about the Mets and the buzz coming out of Orlando:

...the word from orlando is that the Mets decided to make Howard Johnson the team's new first base coach, while shifting Sandy Alomar Jr to coach third...