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Blue Jays release Johnson

JEFF BLAIR

Globe and Mail Update

Latest comment posted at 11:22 AM EST 24/03/08

Shannon Stewart appears to have won the job as Toronto's left-fielder after Reed Johnson was released on Sunday ...Read the full article

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  1. L. W. from Greener Pastures, Canada writes: I can't see the pitching staff being happy about this. Stewart is a disaster in left field. This spring, Johnson has been progressing faster at the plate than Stewart, as well as being a far superior fislder. It appeared that the back problems had been rectified. I tend to wonder how much say the manager and coaching staff had in this.
  2. Ryan Hickman from Toronto, Canada writes: I'm not sold on this move. He's as hard nosed a player in the league and he played the game all out.

    Shannon Stewart may be a little more polished offensively, he's a liability defensively. His arm is well below average and will cost us runs and extra bases throughout the season.

    Reed played the game the right way and he was always a spark at the top of the order. I hope he lands on another team and shows the Jays that they've made a mistake.
  3. Matthew Johnston from Waterloo, ON, Canada writes: The Blue Jays training/coaching staff must know something we don't. Their offensive stats are similar (especially since Stewart doesn't run anymore) but Johnson's the far better fielder. It's nice to have Stewart back in the fold, but it's a shame to see a guy like Johnson thrown under the bus like this.
  4. Joe D. S from Canada writes: Ack. He was my fave player!
  5. J L from Canada writes: Great they give up on a guy hitting 289 for someone hitting 226 Stewart is on backside of his carreer.I am beginning to have some doubts about how this team is being managed on and off the field.They still don't have a catcher that can hit his weight in average. and their starting rotation after the Doc is Questionable.,It COULD be a very long season for Blue Jay fans.
  6. James Riswick from Los Angeles, United States writes: I am in 100-percent agreement with Ryan Hickman in this matter. Defense matters, especially with a forth outfielder. The runs you save are as important as the runs your produce, and it's not like Reed Johnson was useless at the plate -- far from it. This seems like a move a fantasy basemall manager would make, not a major league general manager.

    Good luck Reed, I hope you end up on the west coast so I can still watch you play. And good luck to the Jays, because I hope they don't regret it.
  7. John S from DrPhilville, Canada writes: I guess I kinda get it. He was my favourite too. They figure with Coats and Lind in the minors and Stewart and Stairs in the show they have more than enough. Also no other team wants to take a chance on a trade what with the wonky back. His 3 plus million in salary was too much for the Jays budget. Now that's the part I dont get. Roughly speaking, on a 100 million spreadsheet it's an extra million. What, you cant suck that up somewhere?
    I'm think they think they'll take a chance in left field for the 1st half of the season, and if they're close at the break, trade for the extra offence or defence, whatever they need.
    My take is the offence is still a question mark and there's going to be lots of adventures in left field. And there will be an incalculable loss of guts.
  8. T. Lee from Australia writes: I completely agree that Reed Johnson was the better player of the two. For the last two years, the GM has been bragging about how great the offence is, notwithstanding the injuries last year, and how much greater it will be with the additions of Rolen and Eckstein. But, honestly, how much better will the team be with Shannon Stewart than Reed Johnson. For all of us that's a no-brainer. Speed, defence, and the ability to take a pitch in the ribs. Those are great qualities. Roy Halliday can't be happy that so far he may have lost his personal SS in Macdonald and now a solid left field defender. Like I said before, the choice is a no-brainer, so that's why I also think the coaching staff and the trainers might have seen something worrying about Johnson's recovery to warrant let him go.
  9. andrew bradley from writes: I think this move makes sense for both the Jays and Johnson.
    Lind is almost ready and carrying Johnson's 3 million to sit him on the bench later in the season doesn't make financial sense to a team that may need to lure a starting pitcher in a trade later.
    It makes sense for Reed cause he can catch on with another team to start the year.
    I think they did him a favour.
  10. Greg Atkin from Canada writes: I hope you're right, T. Lee though that would be bad for Reed.
  11. JawBone Hamilton from Canada writes: Sad to see Reed go. He's a tough player.
    I guess if SHannon can't get the job done, the Jays will bring Lind back up. Decent glove, good speed, needs to get his batting average up though.
  12. s taylor from east, Canada writes: All is well in my world again ,Well lets hope he is the everyday outfielder. I remember when they didn't go hard in signing Shannon and he sign with Oakland ,

    I didn't attend a single jay game that year... i was so upset.I would attend anywhere from 30 to 40 games and instead i end up watching Oakland games late nite on my sportspack.

    i always felt if you had the bases loaded and you need a clutch hit he is in my top 3 , A complete hitting machine . For now i will be off JP back ; but this is sports things can change on a dime.

    Its safe to say i will be back in attending jays games once again .As for one of the text who claim Johnson was thrown under a bus , when you making millions as a ball player.. many would take his spot and call for a TRUCK to do the deed.
  13. Rob C from T.O., Canada writes: ...and JP is considered a genious...Why? I think it's Godfrey the jock sniffer who buys what he's selling, so he keeps his job. Godfrey is just a Larry Tanenbaum....This Reed J. deal aside, I don't see this franchise winning under Rogers ownership.
  14. R. M. from Regina, Canada writes: I like Shannon Stewart and I like Reed Johnson and there should be room for both. JP once again shows his complete ineptness as a GM in spite of his own well managed protestations against his critics! This had better be both his and Gibbons last year!!!
  15. Luke P from Vancouver, Canada writes: The real reason, I think, is that Reed Johnson hasn't taken a single walk yet, with 4 strikeouts. Stewart has 4 walks, no strikeouts. Johnson has never been a guy who takes walks, but since he got hurt, his walk to strikeout ratio has dropped. Personally, for a guy hitting in the bottom of the order, I would prefer a guy who puts the ball in play and takes a walk over a guy with a slightly higher average but a ton of strikeouts. Yes, defense is a concern, but left field is probably the least important position in terms of runs prevented. Besides, if everything goes according to plan, Lind will figure it out and claim the job by the All-Star break. I don't think having both Johnson and Stewart on the bench would work very well.
  16. Donny Lalouche from Vancouver, Canada writes: Reed Johnson will be a bench player on a NL team - getting regular playing time only if that team's regular goes down to injury.

    A lot of people over-estimate Reed's talents.

    He's an average player at his absolute best.
  17. Vern McPherson from writes:
    RJ was one of my favs too. But this is the correct team move. As much as I hate to see him just cut.

    If his back is sound he will surface somewhere especially at the Major league minimum...........

    Stewart is not known for his defence but the diff in offence can be made up. He can also DH in a pinch from the right side.

    Looks like Vernon will be handling a lot more chances with Stewart in left ........
  18. Ice Ko from Bordertown BC, Canada writes: Amazin', as Casey Stengel used to say. Just amazin'. A key blunder.

    Reed's back didn't seem to bother his hitting, running, drawing walks or fielding during spring training, in all of which areas he outperformed Stewart.

    Further, Reed has more likely long-term upside than Stewart, including the job of easing Lind's transition to full-time left-fielder, if that is indeed Plan A for the eventual outfield.

    Other suitable words from the Old Perfesser into the BJ's braintrust's tin ears: "If we're going to win the pennant, we've got to start thinking we're not as smart as we think we are."
  19. Luke P from Canada writes: Ice Ko from Bordertown BC, Canada writes: Reed's back didn't seem to bother his hitting, running, drawing walks or fielding during spring training, in all of which areas he outperformed Stewart. I love RJ too, but don't make up stats just to slam management. He didn't draw a single walk during ST. He didn't attempt a single SB. He also had fewer extra base hits than Stewart.
  20. Ice Ko from Bordertown BC, Canada writes: Sigh. Like JP, I'll be perfect tomorrow, Luke. Never skim when you should scan. Doesn't change the fact it was still a bad decision.
  21. Flinton Rice from Toronto, Canada writes: I liked Reed Johnson a lot but Stewart is a better hitter period and LF isn't a position known for good defence. I think many people are deceived by RJ because he had three months of PHENOMENAL ball that pushed up all his statistics (first half 2006). I think a bunch of us saw him then and remember him for that. Considering Wells and Rios in CF and RF - anyone in LF (that we can afford) is going to be a big drop off. Stairs absolutely deserves some time after last year.

    Regardless, I am no longer sold on JP anymore. He's become as onoxious as Sam Mitchell and seems to be forever running after the A's throw-aways. My personal turning point was the signing of Frank Thomas - what a joke! Third place - here we come!

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