Positions: C-507, OF-14, DH-3
Full Name: Robert James Johnson
Born: Jul 22, 1983
Place: Aneconda, Montana 
Ht: 6-0 Wt: 195 Bats: RThrows: R
High School: Butte Central Catholic (Butte,MT)
College: Saddleback College

The Padres acquired catcher Rob Johnson from the Seattle Mariners in exchange for a player to be named or cash considerations. Johnson, 28, appeared in 61 games for the Seattle Mariners in 2010, hitting .191, with 10 doubles, 2 HR's, 13 RBI and 24 runs scored. Johnson has a career .200 major league average with 29 doubles, 2 triples, 5 HR's, 42 RBI and 48 runs scored in 470 Ab's over 161 games. Having said that, Johnson has been fairly productive in the minor leagues. In 2008, he hit (.305 .363 .441) with 9 HR's, 30 doubles, 49 RBI in 112 games with 417 Ab's. To date, Johnson would be the leading candidate going into 2011 to be the backup catcher for newly appointed starter, Nick Hundley. The Free Agent market for catchers is bleak. With the few remaining catchers on the market yet to sign deals with teams such as, veteran Free Agent, Bengie Molina, Gregg Zaun and former Padre Josh Bard.

Rob Johnson underwent labrum surgery on both hips and had left wrist surgery last off season that obviously hindered his mobility. While I do not believe he is a special or key addition, he has demonstrated throughout his minor league career that he does possess some tools and has had productive seasons both offensively and defensively before being sidetracked by sever injuries. Johnson tried to rush back too soon, this is not uncommon in competitive sports. He threw out 35% of would-be base stealers despite having limited mobility. His hips were obviously a major problem, hence allowing more passed balls than any catcher in the league since the beginning of 2009.

In their 2009 Handbook, Baseball America called Johnson the best defensive catcher in the Mariners' farm system. While others analysts have pointed out that he may have benefited from catching pitchers without electric stuff, his CERA (catchers ERA) was second in the league over the past two years and lead the league last year. He was the personal catcher for Felix Hernandez, Jared Wasburn and Eric Bedard. None of whom are exactly soft tossing pitchers who do not display electric type stuff. Rob also lead the Mariners in Wins behind the plate over the past two years both percentage and total.

While I do see some positives in this move, and realize that just because a player is granted a clean bill of health, doesn't necessarily mean his body physically will be ready to respond accordingly. I will not be satisfied with Rob Johnson as the back up catcher if the Padres do not acquire one of the aforementioned first baseman's that have been bantered about. Derek Lee, Jorge Cantu, Russell Branyan, Troy Glaus or Nick Johnson have all been liked to the Padres through the rumor mill. However, if this means the Padres plan is to acquire Johnson on the cheap, as oppose to signing an over priced, over the hill Free Agent catcher as a backup, in order to focus the rest of their limited finances on acquiring a legitimate first baseman, I think it could work out well, and would give Jed Hoyer and Co a lot of credit.

Rob Johnson's minor league statistics: