Sources: Cubs pursuing ex-Blue Jay Johnson

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Who Wants Reed Johnson?
Published 3/24/2008 by Tim Dierkes at MLB Rumors - MLBTradeRumors.com
3:40pm: Ken Rosenthal says the Cubs are "showing the heaviest interest" in Johnson.  Johnson does make sense for the Cubs, playing center when the team faces a lefty.  It might hold Felix Pie back slightly, but it's a win-now move. Rosenthal says the Red Sox, Rays, and Rangers are the other teams in on Johnson.  It's definitely surprising to see ...

FoxSports: Cubs Possibly Pursuing Reed Johnson
Published 3/24/2008 by Bryan at OUT OF RIGHT FIELD
From FoxSports: 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. Reed Johnson is a right handed hitting outfielder, who hasn't played much in center. Johnson has played just under 10% of his outfield appearances in center. Rosenthal writes that the Cubs would like to limit the number of at-bats for Pie against left handed pitching. It could be beneficial for the Cubs to go after the Blue Jay reject instead of having to trade players to get a Red Sox ...

Cubs' Talks For Roberts Reach Impasse
Published 3/24/2008 by Tim Dierkes at MLB Rumors - MLBTradeRumors.com
According to Ken Rosenthal, the Cubs are unlikely to acquire second baseman Brian Roberts prior to the start of the season.  Jim Hendry and Andy MacPhail apparently could not find a match for the players involved.  The Cubs have also been scouting the Nationals; Felipe Lopez may be Plan B.  Shortstop is the main position where the Cubs are ...

Several Teams After Reed Johnson
Published 3/25/2008 by McFleece at MLB Fleece Factor
Recently released outfielder Reed Johnson is drawing interest from several clubs, according to Ken Rosenthal.  The Fox Sports writer says the Chicago Cubs are showing the “heaviest interest” as they see Johnson as the right-handed counterpart to Felix Pie they have been seeking.  Also showing interest are the Red Sox, Rays and Rangers.  A Red Sox acquisition would probably lead to a discounted Coco Crisp trade.  The Rays interest, which has been written here before, would be as a replacement for Rocco Baldelli.  The Rangers interest is curious, though Johnson could be Milton Bradley insurance.  Or maybe Texas is just trying to block Johnson from the Cubs so ...

Cubs Outfield Situation: Crisp, Johnson, Byrd
Published 3/25/2008 by Tim Dierkes at MLB Rumors - MLBTradeRumors.com
Quite a bit of info is floating about this evening regarding the Cubs' quest to add an outfielder.  Let's put it all together. SI.com's Jon Heyman names Coco Crisp, Jay Payton, Marlon Byrd, and Brandon Inge as possible targets.  Inge makes the least sense given his salary and the Tigers' need for him while ...

Rumors Heating Up...and Cooling Down?
Published 3/25/2008 by neil@chicagocubsonline.com (Chicago Cubs Online) at ChicagoCubsOnline.com
... up for grabs. But could there be a new name in the mix? According to several reports out of Chicago and from Ken Rosenthal , the answer is yes . The Cubs appear to be very interested in signing former Blue Jay, Reed Johnson . So while one former bird might be wearing blue pinstripes soon, the long-rumored trade for another could be on hold. Here is the latest from the mill and news from Arizona, including Scott Eyre headed to the DL? From the Mill Jim Hendry was extremely candid ...

Gabbard, Rangers Fall Short In 7-6 Loss To Cubs
Published 3/25/2008 by Joey Matschulat at Baseball Time in Arlington
The maddeningly inconsistent spring campaign of left-hander Kason Gabbard continues. And with no immediate relief in sight, either. Having already secured a guaranteed spot in the Texas Rangers’ Opening Day starting rotation, Gabbard nonchalantly toted his pitching arm - and the horrific exhibition season ERA of 12.66 that it had compiled - into his Monday afternoon start against the Chicago Cubs at HoHoKam Park in Mesa, Arizona. Six innings later, Kason mercifully exited his latest Cactus League outing with a lower ERA than he had entered the day with. But not by much. Gabbard surrendered six runs (five earned) on six hits and a pair of walks while ...

Another Sign For Coco?
Published 3/25/2008 by Matthew Hume at New England Sports Blog ()
FOX Sports (Ken Rosenthal)  Red Sox Pursuing Ex-Blue Jay Reed Johnson The Red Sox, Rays and Rangers are among the other teams interested in Johnson, sources say, but the Cubs have been the most persistent suitor in early discussions.

Several Teams After Reed Johnson
Published 3/25/2008 by McFleece at MLB Fleece Factor
UPDATE: (3/25) 9:17am (EST) - According to the NY Newsday , Mets’ GM Omar Minaya plans to meet with Johnson’s agent in the next day or so. The Mets appear to have interest here, as Reed has always hit lefties well. Mar 24 - Recently released outfielder Reed Johnson is drawing interest from several clubs, according to Ken Rosenthal.  The Fox Sports writer says the Chicago Cubs are showing the “heaviest interest” as they see Johnson as the right-handed counterpart to Felix Pie they have been seeking.  Also showing interest are the Red Sox, Rays and Rangers.  A Red Sox acquisition would probably lead to a ...