Free Agent Watch: Reed Johnson reportedly resigns with Atlanta (UPDATES)

Twenty nine other teams have begun their mourning period. Stud free agent outfielder, second only to Josh Hamilton, is off the free agent market.

I kid. But seriously, it’s being reported that Reed has resigned with the Atlanta Braves. Yesterday we heard that the Braves had made a formal offer, and today Reed accepted it.

The links:

• MLB Trade Rumors cited Chicago Cubs beat reporter Carrie Muskat’s tweet in their writeup of the deal. Former Cubs Randy Wells and Blake DeWitt also signed deals today, she says.
• When the Braves tweet about the signing, you know it’s probably a done deal.
• …and when MLB tweets it with the preface “OFFICIAL,” that about seals it. Reed returns to Atlanta on a one year deal, with an option for 2014. Financial details are not yet known, but I’ll update this post as soon as they’re released.

UPDATE 1

• Braves fans seem to be excited about the return of Reed. He fills one of GM Frank Wren’s offseason to-do list items, a quality right-handed bat off the bench. Others are still clamoring over the need to acquire a left fielder.
• I’m with them – if I were a Braves fan, I’d certainly want another outfielder in the mix. Reed is a great complimentary piece, and although he was pretty healthy last year, I doubt he can be a full-timer successfully.
• The blogger from The Brewer Nation tweeted about Reed shortly after the signing: “Between the ferocious fan response to Ryan Braun last season and their signing of Reed Johnson, it’s becoming easy to dislike the Braves.”
• Braun comments aside, I inquired on the negativity of Reed – apparently in 2008, it was his dive into first base that “[tore] up” Yovani Gallardo‘s knee and ended his season. I don’t recall the incident, and was unable to find a video, but I’m sure it was just something that just unfortunately happened.

UPDATE 2

• How does Reed Johnson’s new contract impact Baseblog’s sponsorship? Well, to be honest, Reed’s Baseball-Reference page has soared in value over the past year. It now costs about $100 more to sponsor the outfielder than it did a year ago, just after he signed with the Cubs.
• With my sponsorship for Reed’s page up on December 27th, it may be time to look towards a new player to sponsor. (*sniff*)
• Early candidates for Baseblog sponsorship include: new Cub Nate Schierholtz at $345 (probably not, too expensive), Tony Campana at $50 (perhaps, if he could just get on base), Dave Sappelt at $45 (people have been saying he’ll fill Reed’s role since he was traded).

FINAL UPDATE

• Baseblog’s sponsorship will need to be figured out at a later date. To put this post to rest, here’s the final update on the Reed signing, courtesy of Jeff Passan:

Reed Johnson’s one-year deal is for $1.6M with $150K in incentives. Club option is for $1.6M with $150K buyout. Guarantee $1.75M, max $3.5M.

— Jeff Passan (@JeffPassan) December 7, 2012