Clinging to a Reed

The roster is almost settled. The Cubs need another outfielder, and have to finalize the utility infield spot. Ronny Cedeno, no longer a consideration for center field, has the edge over Alex Cintron.

Ken Rosenthal is reporting on something that is no surprise

The Cubs are showing the heaviest interest in outfielder Reed Johnson, envisioning him as the right-handed-hitting counterpart to center fielder Felix Pie, major-league sources say.

Even Muskat has a clue on this one

The Cubs have looked at Texas' Marlon Byrd, who started in right field on Monday against them, but were believed to be leaning more toward Reed Johnson

If I were Reed Johnson, I'd be thanking the Blue Jays for signing Shannon Stewart and cutting me free to join the Cubs.

Given this news, and the apparent demise of the Roberts deal, let me delve into Reed Johnson's projected numbers

avg/obp/slg (ab) hr-rbi-r-sb

Bill James 272/345/387 (279) 5-28-41-4
CHONE      267/336/388 (389) 7-45-48-4
Marcel     275/343/408 (363) 7-38-53-6
MINER      262/330/375 (168) 3-15-22-2
ZiPS       272/341/400 (320) 6-32-47-3
CBS        273/342/407 (275) 6-40-40-3
PECOTA     261/322/385 (347) 6-38-43-4

This gives him a projected OPS of around .730, which should be conservative if he's a platoon player.

He'd be a good pick-up , but it wouldn't really solve the Cubs depth issues in the outfield, center field in particular. Organizationally, this is a gap that we haven't seen the last of.


sources:
fangraphs.com
sportsline.com
baseballprospectus.com