Batter's Box Interactive Magazine - KJ Chats With Sportsnet Radio

Blue Jays second baseman Kelly Johnson shared a few thoughts on not only baseball but the NFL playoffs on Sportsnet 590 The Fan Friday afternoon.

Kelly Johnson looks like he's lining up to a kick a field goal with Mike McCoy serving as the holder September 11.

The audio to the interview is right here. His football-related thoughts...

even though he's a big Joe Montana fan and has a signed jersey of his, he would take Tom Brady at QB to face the '85 Bears
predicts the Patriots to beat the Ravens and the 49ers over the Giants even though New York has more talent and has been to the Super Bowl recently
thinks the 49ers have the momentum

Kelly Johnson congratulates Brett Lawrie for driving in a run against the Orioles September 11. Johnson avoided arbitration by signing a one-year deal with the Jays worth $6.375 million.

On baseball-related issues...

when asked about momentum as it pertains to his career, he recalls his rookie season with Atlanta in 2005 when the Braves won the NL East
despite having a bunch of rookies or second year players surrounding center field Andruw Jones, the team managed to win
didn't know how they were winning but they were "killing people", they made the playoffs but wound up losing to Houston in the NLDS (Johnson was 0-for-2 with a walk and played left field)
happy to avoid arbitration process but has had to deal with the possibility of arbitration three of the past four years
from hearing about arbitration experiences from players and coaches, he says it is "really not a fun time"
believes arbitration is more risky for the player because it involves the player's money while the money for the team is "in the grand scheme of things, not a big chunk of change generally, for them."
easier for a baseball player to go through arbitration as they are numb to some criticism as baseball is a sport of failure - he says imagine wide receivers in football going through the process
calls Toronto a cool city, not a lot of tall buildings, beautiful setting with Lake Ontario nearby
never played with or met a Canadian he didn't like, says people have been courteous and accepting while signing autographs
agrees that being more familiar with Toronto should help him in his second year
being more comfortable in the game and being in the American League longer will help
does not think there were any dumb free agent signings this off-season - cannot argue with the Albert Pujols or Yu Darvish deals

Posted by #2JBrumfield on Saturday, January 21 2012 @ 02:52 PM EST.

KJ Chats With Sportsnet Radio | 5 comments | Create New Account

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Richard S.S. - Saturday, January 21 2012 @ 05:58 PM EST (#250928) #

I have been wondering, was his one year deal his choice, or Alex's choice. If it was his choice, hoping for a multi-year deal next offseason, I doubt anyone will give him the $$$ or the term he wants. If it was an A.A. decision, who's our 2B in 2013? Which 2B acquisition does A.A. target this year?

bpoz - Sunday, January 22 2012 @ 11:51 AM EST (#250937) #

I cannot remember the burning of options rule right now. Sorry so I must guess that if A Hech burns his 3rd option in 2012 then he has to make the ML team in 2013. I cannot see him sitting on the bench then, so he plays & bats 9th IMO. He could be on the job training at the ML level at 2B or SS.

Spifficus - Sunday, January 22 2012 @ 03:10 PM EST (#250944) #

Hechavarria gets a 4th option year due to his pro inexperience. From the wiki entry titled "major league baseball transactions": "A team may have a fourth option on a player with less than five full seasons of professional experience, provided that both conditions are met below. 1) A player has not spent at least 90 days on an active professional roster in a season. Minor leagues that play below Class A Advanced have seasons that are shorter than 90 days, and as such, any player who spends a full season in a rookie or Class A (short-season) league will receive a fourth option year. 2) A player has not spent at least 60 days on an active professional roster AND then at least 30 days on a disabled list in a season. Only after 60 days have been spent on an active professional roster does time spent on the disabled list count towards the 90-day threshold. As with the prior example, this cannot occur with players who spend a full season in a rookie or Class A (short season) league."

Original Ryan - Sunday, January 22 2012 @ 03:12 PM EST (#250945) #

Hechavarria should be eligible for a rare fourth option, due to the fact that his three options will have been used up before he reaches five years of pro service. He won't be out of options until the 2014.

bpoz - Monday, January 23 2012 @ 07:33 AM EST (#250949) #

Thanks guys.

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