The Arizona Diamondbacks and Kelly Johnson have agreed on a contract for next season worth a little north of $2 million pending a physical. He had been non-tendered by the Braves earlier this winter.
Johnson is expected to be the opening day second basemen for the Dbacks, surpassing Ryan Roberts on the depth chart.
Last year was difficult for Johnson who lost his starting job at second base in Atlanta and finished the year with a .224 average to go with 8 homers and 29 RBI.
Johnson’s best year came back in 2007 when after returning from an elbow injury that cost him the entire 2006 season he went on to hit .276/.375/.457 with 15 homers and 68 RBI while moving from the outfield to second base. He’d follow that up with a solid 2008 season but never seemed to get it going last year for the Braves and eventually lost his job to Martin Prado.
Ryan Roberts figures to be his stiffest competition for playing time at second base in Arizona. Roberts, a journeyman though out the minors, hit .279/.367/.416 last season in 305 at-bats after collecting just 27 at-bats in his three previous stints in the majors.
Great deal for Arizona. The smallest amount of risk for a guy that is still young enough to turn into something valuable.