Kelly Johnson reports to spring training
Feb 17, 2011, 12:41 AM | Updated: 12:58 am
Diamondbacks second-baseman Kelly Johnson reported to spring training Wednesday after avoiding arbitration and reaching a one-year, $5.85 million deal Tuesday.
Johnson, 28, said his focus from now on is to win games this season with the contract business out of the way.
“It’s no different than anybody else’s deal, free agency or whatever. It’s just one of those things that once it’s announced, it’s all good and whatever but from that day forward, it’s all about trying to win games,” Johnson said.
“Last time I checked, I don’t think anybody’s salary determined anybody winning a World Series.”
Johnson said he was disappointed with last season, as the Diamondbacks seemed to be content with achieving “moral victories” rather than actually winning games.
He said the team needs to stay focused and create momentum throughout the next season.
“We’re not the highest paid team in the world and we’re not going to have the perennial all-stars on the roster but we all have the capability to be pretty dang good and we should have that mentality.”
Johnson hit .284 with 93 runs, 26 home runs and 71 RBI in 154 games last season. His home run and RBI totals were career highs and his 36 doubles were a franchise record for second basemen.
Arizona Sports’ Kyndra de St. Aubin contributed to this report
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