MLB Free Agents: Baltimore Orioles Sign Nick Johnson
By Editorial Staff
The Baltimore Orioles have reached an agreement with free agent first baseman Nick Johnson. The deal is of the minor league variety and the terms of Johnson’s contract have yet to be released.
The Orioles add another low-risk contract, improving their depth at the first base position. Johnson has a long history of injury problems, but when he’s healthy he’s proven a productive player. In his last season in which he played at least 120 games, Johnson posted an OPS of .831.
The problem with Johnson is that he’s only accumulated four of these 120+ game seasons since making his major league debut in 2001. Johnson last played at the major league level for the Yankees in 2010, when he only managed to appear in 24 games. Johnson spent the 2011 season playing in the Indians upper minors.
While Johnson is no sure thing, his lifetime .401 on base percentage makes him an intriguing low-cost signing. The Orioles already had a question mark of their own penciled in at first base in Chris Davis, and Johnson provides Baltimore with an alternative if the 25-year-old falters this season.
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You can check out all of the available free agents by position below.