Free-Agent Catchers on Move

Two catchers whom the Dodgers considered pursuing landed elsewhere Monday.

Former Dodger Charles Johnson, who ended last season with the Chicago White Sox, signed a five-year, $35-million contract with the Florida Marlins.

And Sandy Alomar Jr., formerly of the Cleveland Indians, agreed to a two-year, $5.4-million deal with the White Sox, replacing Johnson.

The Dodgers apparently were unwilling to pay the high price for Johnson. Sources said they offered Alomar a one-year deal.

“My heart has always been in Florida,” Johnson, 29, said of his return to the Marlins, with whom he broke into the major leagues in 1994. He was a starter on their 1997 World Series championship team. “In my heart I really wanted to come home.”

Johnson, from nearby Fort Pierce, Fla., was traded by the Marlins to the Dodgers in May 1998 in a deal that also involved Gary Sheffield and Mike Piazza.

Less than seven months later, Johnson was part of a trade that brought Todd Hundley to the Dodgers and sent Johnson to the Baltimore Orioles.

Last season, he hit .304 with 31 home runs and 91 runs batted in with the Orioles and White Sox.

Alomar, 34, was a six-time all-star in 11 seasons with the Indians, appearing in two World Series. He is a lifetime .276 hitter with 93 home runs and 459 RBIs.

He has thrown out nearly 28% of runners trying to steal, but that figure fell to 21.9% last season, when he was bothered by nagging injuries that have limited him to 134 games the last two seasons.

In 97 games last season, the veteran catcher hit .289 with seven home runs and 42 RBIs.

Long a fan favorite in Cleveland, where he played with younger brother Roberto, Alomar was deemed dispensable last month when the Indians traded for Eddie Taubensee after contract talks with Alomar had stalled.

John Hart, the Indians’ general manager, said he didn’t have a choice because he didn’t know if he’d be able to sign Alomar.

“It’s very difficult,” Alomar said at the time. “It’s very disappointing, but you have to move on. That’s life.”

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The Associated Press contributed to this story.