Earlier this month we speculated as to why there has been no interest in free-agent infielder Kelly Johnson. Apparently the Tampa Bay Rays had interest all along. The Rays inked the veteran Johnson to a one-year deal today according to Ken Rosenthal of Fox Sports. Terms of the deal were not disclosed.
Johnson will be reunited with former Blue Jay teammate Yunel Escobar whom the Rays acquired in a trade with the Miami Marlins earlier this off-season. Johnson, 30, hit.225/.313/.365 with the Blue Jays in 2012. Yet, despite the career-worst SLG, Johnson still lifted 16 homeruns, and recorded 55 RBI, 61 R, and 14 SB. Johnson .284 with 26 homers and an .865 OPS for the Arizona Diamondbacks in 2010. The Rays covet versatility and Johnson can play infield as well as outfield.
The move will likely mean that Ben Zobrist will be playing more rightfield in 2013. The Rays’ 40-man roster currently is full, requiring them to make a corresponding move. Newly acquired Wil Myers was likely to start the year at AAA Durham. The signing of Johnson reinforces that notion.
