Orioles, Chris Johnson agree to minor-league deal
With pitchers and catchers for a number of major-league clubs reporting to spring training on Monday, the Baltimore Orioles continued to shape their roster by agreeing to a minor-league deal with free-agent utility player Chris Johnson, according to Eduardo A. Encina of the Baltimore Sun.
The agreement includes an invitation to spring training, and was announced by the club, reports Dan Connolly of BaltimoreBaseball.com.
Johnson - whose father, Ron Johnson, manages Baltimore's Triple-A affiliate in Norfolk - would provide the big-league club with additional bench depth if he makes the team.
The 32-year-old appeared in 113 games for the Miami Marlins a season ago, hitting .222/.281/.329 with five home runs and 24 RBIs.
Johnson spent the majority of 2016 playing first base (81 games), but is also capable of manning third and the outfield.
Over the course of his eight-year career in the big leagues, Johnson has represented the Marlins, Houston Astros, Arizona Diamondbacks, Atlanta Braves, and Cleveland Indians.
His best season came in 2013 as a member of the Braves when he hit .321/.358/.457 with 34 doubles, 68 RBIs, and an OPS+ of 124.
Johnson owns a lifetime slash line of .275/.313/.404 with 63 home runs and 339 RBIs.