Paul Sullivan of the Chicago Tribune writes that the Chicago Cubs appear prepared to part ways with Rich Harden and Reed Johnson.

I am not surprised about harden but i am about johnson. Johnson has been a pretty good of for the cubs. Especially in the roll he is in here. I am not sayin ghe can not be upgraded but what kind of worries me is who does the cubs have that can hit against left handed pitching if they let johnson go?Not to mention his defense.Doesn't seem like a good a move to just let him walk.

Because of the Bradley situation, most of what will (and won't) happen in the off-season is up in the air. I imagine if Reed Johnson would take a $1.5 base with incentives for 1 year, he could be brought back; however, that's quite a pay cut. My guess is that it's the best deal he'll get... from someone else (possibly the Brewers). 

If the price was reasonable we'd try to make a trade with the Rays for Upton, but I think their asking price would be Vitters+ and the organization won't go that way. I have to agree with I-rob that a push for Mike Cameron is a strong possibility, especially since he has a history with Lou from his days in Seattle.  It improves us defensively, and he's got RBI potential from the 6-7th spots.  I guess we just need to stay tuned...

mindbodyspirit wrote:

If the price was reasonable we'd try to make a trade with the Rays for Upton, but I think their asking price would be Vitters+ and the organization won't go that way. I have to agree with I-rob that a push for Mike Cameron is a strong possibility, especially since he has a history with Lou from his days in Seattle.  It improves us defensively, and he's got RBI potential from the 6-7th spots.  I guess we just need to stay tuned...

If you had to include Vitters to get a proven MLB ready young talent like Upton then do it. If you hang on to Vitters and he performs like he did when he got promoted to hih A ball then he has no value. Vitters has a high upside but also is a potential for being a big bust. Scouts have found flaws in his swing, no patience at plate, not a good fielder. If you can make a big trade and Vitters has to be included then go for it.

I think they will actually have a RH CF

Yeah but they need RH off the bench who can hit LH good for Fukudome though(unless they go with Fox/Fukudome platoon). Personally I would love to have Reed Johnson back. But after his crappy injury plagued year last season, he should be giving us some type of 1y-1.5m discounted rate. Instead I heard he's asking for something like 2y at 6m and thats just too much for a bench player and a guy who due to injuries had a bad season. Hopefully Reed comes to his sense and they can work something out.

ILLINIrob83 wrote:

Bringing back Reed is all about saving money for other needs. Because he is ideal fit for this team. He is a great 4th outfielder, good clubhouse presence (was really the first player to try and tell Bradley he needs to chill the frick out) and most importantly, is a good platoon with Fukudome which we need. Fukudome imo showed last year he can be a very productive player batting leadoff and playing solid D. The problem with the guy is he simply wears down. If you look at the numbers, he had two bad months (June and September). Makes sense too because June is a month with a lot of games and no refresher like the all-star break coming anytime soon and September is the last month of the season. We shouldn't be paying a guy 11 million that can only be effective in about 120 games (but in his defense at least he is a effective in those games unlike Bradley who just sucks). We need a player who can step in for about 30-40 games a year. Johnson be perfect at that role but with us having bigger needs (trading Bradley, 2nd, everyday CF, arm in the bullpen and in the rotation) something has to give.

SomeDayWay wrote:

Bringing back Reed is all about saving money for other needs. Because he is ideal fit for this team. He is a great 4th outfielder, good clubhouse presence (was really the first player to try and tell Bradley he needs to chill the frick out) and most importantly, is a good platoon with Fukudome which we need.

Right now Reed is asking for 2 years 6 million. With a bad back they probably will look for cheaper options.

We will still need a righ handed outfielder to split some time with Fukudome against tough lefties.

Fukudome imo showed last year he can be a very productive player batting leadoff and playing solid D. The problem with the guy is he simply wears down. If you look at the numbers, he had two bad months (June and September). Makes sense too because June is a month with a lot of games and no refresher like the all-star break coming anytime soon and September is the last month of the season.

He plays good defense in right but slightly below average in center

We shouldn't be paying a guy 11 million that can only be effective in about 120 games (but in his defense at least he is a effective in those games unlike Bradley who just sucks). We need a player who can step in for about 30-40 games a year. Johnson be perfect at that role but with us having bigger needs (trading Bradley, 2nd, everyday CF, arm in the bullpen and in the rotation) something has to give.

It was reported yeaterday that when Bradley was suspended most the players in the clubhouse applauded.

Cubs should see what the market is for 4th outfielders.  $3M per season seems a bit much. I don't see any team giving him a starting spot.  He should collect a few offers and then see if the Cubs have the $$ to match or beat it.

Marlon Byrd and Reed Johson have almost Identical career numbers - it's kind of scarey actually.  Why would you discard a guy who has a positive history with your club and proven himself as a plus defender, decent bat, full effort, good clubhouse guy, for someone we have no history with for similar or more $?  I'm not saying Johnson should be an everyday outfielder, but Marlon Byrd certainly shouldn't be either - and if you're chosing between the two, why not show some loyalty to the guy who has a history with you.

WindyCityCatFan wrote:

Marlon Byrd and Reed Johson have almost Identical career numbers - it's kind of scarey actually.  Why would you discard a guy who has a positive history with your club and proven himself as a plus defender, decent bat, full effort, good clubhouse guy, for someone we have no history with for similar or more $?  I'm not saying Johnson should be an everyday outfielder, but Marlon Byrd certainly shouldn't be either - and if you're chosing between the two, why not show some loyalty to the guy who has a history with you.

Good point. Supposely Byrd is a better defender then Reed. The only thing I could see is that the Cubs are worried about Johnson's injury problems. Back problems are just something that lingers.

If Reed wants to stay in Chicago and takes a discount, Hendry will give him a contract.  He's definitely a fan and clubhouse favorite.  His skills in the field and ability to hit lefties is a wonderful compliment to any team.

His back, however, is a very big concern.  If Reed can find a better contract for himself elsewhere, he should take it.  You never know how much time you have left in the game, esp. with a lingering back problem.  Best of luck to Reed, he was (still is, maybe) a good guy to have on your team.

WindyCityCatFan wrote:

Marlon Byrd and Reed Johson have almost Identical career numbers - it's kind of scarey actually.  Why would you discard a guy who has a positive history with your club and proven himself as a plus defender, decent bat, full effort, good clubhouse guy, for someone we have no history with for similar or more $?  I'm not saying Johnson should be an everyday outfielder, but Marlon Byrd certainly shouldn't be either - and if you're chosing between the two, why not show some loyalty to the guy who has a history with you.

This is where it can get dicey evalutating a player. This is where GM's make great moves or are considering boneheads by their fans. Marlon Byrd's last three seasons have been really really good. All three of those years were in Texas, and now he is trying to get a big payday.  He had an .814, .842, and .808 .OPS' the last three years in Texas as a CFer, pretty darn good. He posted a .283/.329/.479 with 89 RBI's last season for the Rangers, and plays good defense. I think the guy has much more value right now than Reed Johnson.  Byrd reminds me of a DeRosa for CFers. Got his career turned around in Texas, and now is looking for a solid payday after being a mediocre journeyman type the years before Texas.  Johnson seems to be nothing more than a part-time player anymore. His Ab's the last several years don't come close to Byrd's, and Byrd has put now multiple really solid seasons together.

Reed Johnson will not be back with the Cubs unless they offer him the biggest contract. I think the hometown discout is BS. Players and agents go where they can get the biggest check. People point to Zambrano taking the "hometown discount" but he was the second highest paid pitcher last year.

 People point to Zambrano taking the "hometown discount" but he was the second highest paid pitcher last year.

The discount Zambrano gave us was keeping the deal 5 years. Since on the open market that season he would have probably gotten 6-7 years at 18m per year. Especially at the time Zambranos career numbers were even more impressive. The hometown discount isn't BS though because players do it all the time. Alot of guys don't wanna move around and feel comfortable in a situation. Sure with alot of guys it's money but all the time players take less money to stay. Hopefully Reed ends up doing that in the long run.