In an ongoing series, we'll take a look at possible free-agent and trade targets for the Texas Rangers this winter.
2015 stats: .255 batting average, .286 on-base percentage, .624 OPS, 11 doubles, 3 home runs, 18 RBIs in 83 games
Chris Johnson isn't going to knock your socks off, but he can knock the cover off baseballs delivered by left-handed pitchers, and as we all know, that was an issue for the Rangers in 2015. He also hits from the right side, and could help the Rangers break up a lefty-heavy lineup from time to time.
Johnson plays the corner infield spots, and would really only be an option against left-handed pitching. But as a bench bat in that capacity, he could join up with Justin Ruggiano to give the Rangers some quality bats to attack lefties with.
He was released this week by the Cleveland Indians, who acquired him last season for two bad contracts of Nick Swisher and Michael Bourn. He's still owed $17.5 million through 2018, all of which the Indians are responsible for. According to the Dallas Morning News, any team that signs Johnson would only have to pay him $507,500 for the 2016 season.
In the last three seasons, albeit in limited action, Johnson has batted .371 with a .901 OPS in 340 at-bats against left-handers. That's some legitimate damage.
