Jason Johnson?

I haven't heard anything mentioning it anywhere over the last few days.

According to an article on Daily Sports Online, the Seibu Lions are actually thinking of getting him. Interestingly enough, the article cites a Lions official as saying that they might have to cut Cabrera to get Johnson. Wonder if it's worth it.

Wow, Johnson would be interesting, though with Graman and Gissell already there, I don't think they need Johnson that badly, and especially at the loss of Alex Cabrera. I'd like to see Johnson in Japan, but I'm not sure it's worth Alex Cabrera.

His numbers were pretty rough last year divided among 3 teams. I'm not sure it would be worth it if they had to lose Cabrera.

I agree, it's probably not worth it. Anyway, it wouldn't be fun if Cabrera weren't in the lineup scaring the bedevil out of opposing pitchers. I wouldn't want to be the one who pitches high and inside against him.

Well a FOX Sports reports said Johnson and Seibu have signed a one year deal worth $3 million. If true, I say that is way too much for Johnson. Though I'm optimistic Johnson can improve to his Baltimore days condition and could become a 10-15 game winner. But at the loss of Cabrera I'm just not sure if it is worth it.

Sports Hochi [in Japanese] confirms that the Lions are in talks with Johnson and that an agreement should be reached this week. They quote the Fox Sports article about the amount being negotiated, but don't mention that the deal will be at the cost of Alex Cabrera.

Losing Cabrera would be bigger news than signing Johnson. I remember Cabrera's contract renewal squabbles last year, so maybe the team just isn't willing to pay the aging slugger. His numbers have been declining from out of this world to (merely?) great, but his salary demands have been escalating, so it may not be a disastrous choice to let him go (though it might be a bit early).

How about if Orix trades Nakamura and Kiyohara to Seibu for Cabrera?

There's an article in English now up on Japan Ball saying the Lions signed Johnson for 350 million yen. Wow.

Also, I wonder how his diabetes will affect anything in Japan. Hopefully they'll have a decent medical translator for him and someone to help him with his diet and treatments. He was the first MLB player to wear an insulin pump while pitching, I believe, and I'd bet it's unprecedented in Japan as well, right?

Seibu announced that they re-signed with Alex Cabrera, Jeff Liefer, Alex Graman, and Chris Gissel.

I think the Lions have made a good move with the signing of Johnson. I read a story in a Tampa newspaper that he has hired a personal trainer and has been working out 6 days a week including yoga, marshall arts, plus the normal off season needs. A plus is his personal matters (marriage problems) are behind him. He also has a full time diabetic and diet consultant. Go Lions.

The Lions have made a great choice with Johnson. He is not only a good pitcher, but I have heard he is a great teammate. I know that he has been working harder this off season than any other off season he has had. If he doesn't win 10-15 games this year, I will be surprised.

- The Lions have made a great choice with Johnson. He is not only a good pitcher, but I have heard he is a great teammate.

Where have you heard the "great teammate" stuff? I've actually heard just the opposite here in Detroit. He's been horrible the past two seasons, so I don't see him suddenly becoming good next season. $3 million is way too much to spend on this guy, IMO.

- Where have you heard the "great teammate" stuff? I've actually heard just the opposite here in Detroit.

That's funny I've heard the complete opposite while he was at Baltimore. Johnson always gave his all with the Orioles and was a positive influence in the clubhouse. There were never any issues with his attitude on or off the field. Just positive. Where have you heard such allegations from? Just interested?

- He's been horrible the past two seasons, so I don't see him suddenly becoming good next season. $3 million is way too much to spend on this guy, IMO.

Granted, he hasn't been lights out, but he has been a respectable fifth starter while with Detroit and didn't have a lot of run support or anything. I'll be the first to admit that last year wasn't bright for Johnson, but the ability is sure there. He's a workhorse and has a positive mentality towards baseball. I've seen that much every day watching him while he played with the Orioles. Until he actually pitches, I'd say it'd be wise to reserve judgment as it's getting sickening listening to many of the statements made here.

For example, the Gary Glover comparison over in this discussion. Anybody with any sense of baseball can't compare Johnson to Glover based on performance. Glover was an apparent AAAA player, yet looking at minor league numbers [The Baseball Cube - Minor League Stats] he isn't even a AAA pitcher. Like I said earlier, wait until Johnson pitches before writing him off before he evens step down in Japan.

Looks like Jason Johnson had a good day for his first time on the mound Sunday. Gave up only a few hits and none of them were hard, mostly full swing dribblers. I for one would like to see him pitch like he did in Baltimore a few years ago. That year he never lost at home and had a 1.86 ERA at home. Mostly I would like to see the Lions be the top dog this year. Everyone I talk to aren't very positive since they lost Matsuzaka.

I compared him to Glover because Glover had a solid spring training, got very similar press to Johnson, and ended up not doing much. Would you know that, though? Do you read the news in Japanese?

Great gaijin pitchers in NPB are very rare. I wish people would stop going out of their way to combat me.

- I compared him to Glover because Glover had a solid spring training, got very similar press to Johnson, and ended up not doing much. Would you know that, though? Do you read the news in Japanese?

I am well aware of Glover's spring, because I followed him as well as everyone else over at Japan Baseball Daily. Though using your argument of "would you know that either" or "do you read the news in Japanese?" how would you know that either? These are the kind of narrow-minded statements that make people want to combat people's opinion. Just because I don't read NPB news in Japanese doesn't mean I'm not aware of what is going on in NPB. Also not being able to read the news in Japanese has what relevance again? Is this some kind of straw-man argument?

I wish I did have the ability to read in Japanese as it would let me get more coverage of baseball news in Japan. Though gladly there are plenty of sites out there that gladly help fill that void.

Next how are you in a position to rate what Johnson does this year? None of us can predict what Johnson does until he actually pitches any more than any other player.

As for thinking of me combating you, it isn't my wish to combat anyone here, though when people attack people to no end like over in the Rhodes thread of Terry Collins or similar narrow-minded attacks, I'm going to challenge those statements. Once again it isn't my wish to combat anyone here, I'm sorry you feel that way so strongly.

Can anybody give me an update on how Jason's doing? Also, is there a website that I can get on (in English) that I can see news and scores?

Thanks for the help.

Japan Baseball Daily reported that Johnson will pick against Rakuten phenom starter Masahiro Tanaka on March 25th.

He threw 50 pitches in a bullpen session, Saturday, to prepare for a game against Nippon Ham. Also it went on to say that Johnson could go on to pitch some with the ni-gun (farm) squad some to build up for the regular season.

Thanks for the info on Jason.

Where can I find recent pictures of Jason Johnson and the Seibu Lions roster?

The team roster can be found on this site under teams. You might try his blog. I believe he is starting a weekly blog there.

Thanks,JJ. You seem to really be on the up and up regarding Jason. Are you a relative or just a fan? By the way, is Jason married?

Baseball fan, I'm also a diabetic as is Jason, so I'm glad he gets a lot of publicity. I think it helps kids that are diabetic see that they can achieve anything they want to try. No, I do not believe he is married.

Hey jjpopfly. It's your favorite guy in Kentucky. Jason said he wasn't very happy with his first game but he was glad to get it out of the way in spring training. Hope the family is doing well and tell them hello for me.

JJPOPFLY, how long have you been a fan of Jason Johnson? I heard he's a Mormon, if so, is he devout? Must be hard to be a Mormon and live amongst all the temptations available to pro-athletes!
Do you think Jason will ever play in the MLB again? I'm thinking not......I'd like to get your take on it.

I've followed Jason for as long as I can remember, and yes, he is a morman and I hope he makes it back to MLB. I would hope he puts a great deal of effert into this year and makes the Lions and their fans are glad he's there.

But most of all I follow him like I follow Curt Schilling and Garth Brooks; they all do great thing besides their ocupations. Curt and his wife Shonda do a huge amout for skin cancer reseach and Garth gives a free concert for celeberties (movie & sports) then auctions off items at outragous prices that only these people can afford and give's the money to childrens charities. And Jason does the same for diebetic research.

How's Jason doing so far in Japan? If he's doesn't do well this season, will this mean he'll never play for the MLB again?

Jason earned his first win the other day. He said he is feeling good and pitching well. He is really looking forward to the season. He is very confident about the season.

Have you heard anything regarding his diabetes? Does he have a specialist in Japan? Are there any other foriengers on his team?

Hey Kitty,

Jason doesn't have a specialist on diabetes in Japan yet, but he has talked to several doctors about it and they are interested in helping. Also he has a blog set up about his experiences in Japan.

Anyone else smell a rat here? This thread keeps getting bumped for the sake of it.

Leave it to "Cheese" to smell a rat!

I don't get the second to last comment!