Dodgers acquire an Elliot Johnson & cuts have the bullpen taking shape

The Dodgers acquired Elliot Johnson from the Rangers for cash money, according to Stefan Stevenson of the Fort Worth Star-Telegram. But what is an Elliot Johnson, right? Right.

Johnson is a utility infielder who can play (sort of) every position on the diamond except pitcher and catcher, but primarily sticks to shortstop, second base, and third base. That sounds useful, but he’s available for cash because his career slash line is .215/.269/.316/.586, and in his last season with significant playing time, he had a .538 OPS in 2013.

Not happy with the pickup? Not to worry, Johnson isn’t on the 40-man roster and will be the utility man … for AAA.

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A couple days ago during his predictions for the Opening Day roster, Mike had Dustin McGowan making the team. McGowan though, was cut yesterday after a mediocre eight innings of 6.75 ERA ball during Spring Training. Mike Adams was also cut and will begin the season in AAA after giving up three runs in 3.2 innings this spring.

With those two moves, the bullpen picture is now becoming clearer. J.P. Howell, Chris Hatcher, and Joel Peralta are locks, while Sergio Santos, Paco Rodriguez, Juan Nicasio, Yimi Garcia, and Pedro Baez are the realistic candidates left to fight for four spots.

The odd man out in this picture would seem to be either Baez or Santos due to the performance of Yimi and Paco, as well as the contract of Nicasio. Based on what they’ve done this spring, I’d prefer to keep Baez, but one gets the feeling that Santos might be kept because he’s the veteran and Baez will end up being kept in reserve down in AAA.