Pending league approval, the Deadwood Outlaws have traded their 2nd Round
2000 Amateur Draft pick to Tampa Bay for C Charles Johnson.
Johnson, 25, spent most of 1999 at Tampa's AAA club, where he hit .250
with 25
homers and 67 rbi. In five games with the Mets, he had five hits in 14 at
bats.
His career major league average is just above the Mendoza line (.205 in 159
games), but he is
considered the very best defensive catcher in baseball. Deadwood's 1999
starting catcher, Mike Stanley, will be the
starting DH for the new season.
Manager Don Slaught is expected to bat Johnson ninth in the order.
"This is a nice pick up for us," said GM Phil Raisor. "Johnson has a ton of
power, we just need to work with him on conecting with the ball."
To make room on the roster for Johnson, expect the Outlaws to release 1999
backup catcher Brooks Fordyce.
