Brave could be D-backs' second baseman

It is reported that Johnson is a guy that the D-backs have discussed with the Braves since Josh Byrnes became GM in the fall of 2005. Johnson hit .224 with eight homers and 29 RBIs last season for Atlanta and was not offered arbitration earlier this month. Johnson has actually hit better against lefties than he has against righties in his career. Based on advanced metrics, it is believed that he is an excellent candidate for a rebound season after struggling last year.

If Johnson gets the starting at second, the D-backs could shift Tony Abreu into a utility infield role. The team learned during the Winter Meetings that there is interest in Ojeda, so moving him would probably not be a problem. The D-backs could also give Abreu more seasoning at the Triple-A level.

Paul Lessard is hired as Reds head trainer

The Reds announced last week during Redsfest that the club has hired Paul Lessard to be their new head athletic trainer.
Lessard, a Major League trainer for 12 seasons, was with the Red Sox the past four seasons. From 1998-2005 he was with the Diamondbacks. Now he is replacing former head trainer Mark Mann, who decided to resign last month.

Before working in Major Leaguel, Lessard was a trainer for Boston University and Holy Cross. He also spent two years as an assistant trainer for the NFL's Atlanta Falcons from 1985-86. He graduated from Northeastern University in 1986.

Villalona pleads innocent to murder charge

Villalona appeared in a La Romana courtroom on Monday, because he was charged with murder in the weekend, shooting death at a bar in his Dominican Republic hometown. However, Villalona told the judge he was innocent to the charge of shooting 25-year-old Mario Felix de Jesus Velete. Judge Aranibal Manzano Zapata decided to put the 19-year-old first baseman in jail for two months as authorities prepare the case.

The Giants refused to give any comment on Villalona's case. On Sunday the club stated that it was disappointed that Villalona was considered as a suspect in the shooting. Giants manager Bruce Bochy had not heard any developments of Villalona's status when he was asked in Chase Field before the opening game against the D-backs.

Villalona had turned himself in to police within 12 hours after the bar shooting, but he declined to speak to media at the hearing. He record $2.1 million bonus when signed Giants in 2006, and he was part of the World Team in the 2008 Futures Game in Yankee Stadium. When will he show up on the field again with the Giants jersey? If he overcomes these difficulties, he will be a real "Giant".