Kelly Johnson is a 10-year MLB veteran who spent the majority of his career as an Atlanta Brave. Just before the trade deadline last year, the Mets sent two minor league pitchers to Atlanta for Johnson and Juan Uribe. The move strengthened the Mets’ lineup, though it was overshadowed by Sandy Alderson‘s subsequent trade for Yoenis Cespedes.
Johnson played in 49 regular season games for the 2015 National League champions, appearing at all four infield spots and the two corner outfield positions. He hit .250 with five home runs and one stolen base. In the playoffs, Johnson was limited to a reserve role where he was not a major factor for the Mets.
Although there had been some thought that the Mets would make an attempt to re-sign Johnson this winter, as the off-season developed it became clear that there was not room for him on the Mets’ roster. He signed a one-year contract with the Atlanta Braves last month, beginning his third tour of duty with the club that drafted him.
Johnson does appear as a Met in last year’s Topps Update set, but I don’t know that I will have an opportunity to get a copy of that baseball card signed. For now, he is represented in my collection via this 2010 Upper Deck insert, which I purchased for $1.70.
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