Report: Atlanta Braves sign Kelly Johnson to minor league contract

The Atlanta Braves have had serious problems at both second and third base in the recent past, and on Wednesday evening, the team reportedly took a shot at reviving an old flame. Mark Bowman reports that the Braves and veteran free agent infielder Kelly Johnson have agreed on a minor league contract that includes a Spring Training invite.

The 32-year-old Johnson was a member of the Atlanta Braves from 2005 through 2009, and since that time, he has spent his professional career with the Arizona Diamondbacks, Toronto Blue Jays, Tampa Bay Rays, Baltimore Orioles and New York Yankees. During the 2014 season, Johnson played three positions, including both 2B and 3B, and he produced a dismal slash line of .215/.296/.362 in 297 plate appearances.

Still, Kelly Johnson has a career .756 OPS, and from an infielder, that production would be the equivalent of Christmas for this current Braves team. He will undoubtedly battle with Alberto Callaspo and others for playing time (or even a roster spot), but there is certainly a portion of the fan base who will love this addition.

Make no mistake, the Atlanta Braves are not demonstrably better right now than they were an hour ago, but Kelly Johnson could emerge as a starting infielder for the 2015 team. That is certainly an indictment of the current roster, but Johnson is yet another body who could see time at any of three spots, including left field.