NewsJohnson joins Marlins, excited to compete
First baseman looks forward to playing for winning ballclub
By David Villavicencio / MLB.com
08/01/09 5:44 PM ET
MIAMI -- Nick Johnson has had a hectic 24 hours.The newest member of the Marlins was hitting in the batting cages at PNC Park in Pittsburgh on Friday when he found out he had been traded to the second place team in the National League East. The eight-year veteran packed his bags, headed to the airport and landed in South Florida around midnight. The break in Johnson's routine did not affect him too much, as he planned to pick up right where he left off as soon as he arrived at Land Shark Stadium on Saturday.
"I just tried to get here early and find out where the cage is," Johnson said. "Just learn all the little stuff. After that, do your normal routine and get ready for the ballgame."
Johnson, who comes from a team that entered Saturday's action 28 games behind the division-leading Phillies, is excited about joining a team that's in a pennant race.
"It was tough," Johnson said of his time with the Nationals. "In Washington, we didn't win a lot of games. I haven't been in something like this in a while. I'm really excited about it and I'll enjoy it. I've come to a team that has a chance to win, and that's what you play for. You don't play for .500 ball."
While he is just getting to know his new teammates, the 30-year-old is very familiar with what they can do after spending the past 4 1/2 years in the division.
"I think they like to have a lot of fun," Johnson said. "They're a very good team. It's tough to be on the other side. They have great pitching and grind out at-bats."
Marlins president of baseball operations Larry Beinfest described what made Johnson so attractive to the club was his experience and his ability to handle the bat.
"He's a proven hitter with a lot of experience," Beinfest said after acquiring Johnson. "We're counting on the .300 average and the over .400 on-base percentage. Obviously, the on-base percentage is very attractive to us because we want to get people on base for Hanley [Ramirez] and Jorge Cantu to knock them in."
Johnson, who will wear No. 20 for Florida, is excited about his role with the Marlins and is looking forward to getting on base in front of the heart of Florida's order and creating some runs.
"We have a lot of guys who have some pop," Johnson said. "I'll try to get on base for those guys and for the guys that are in scoring position, I'll try to drive them in."
Marlins owner Jeffrey Loria believes his new bat will get the job done and help the Marlins as they try to make the playoffs for the first time since 2003.
"I've liked Nick Johnson for 10 years," Loria said. "He's a special player. Put him into this equation and it makes things very interesting."
David Villavicencio is an associate reporter for MLB.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.
