Angels Acquire RHP Jim Johnson

[totdprods]

Jeff Fletcher‏Verified account @JeffFletcherOCR 10m10 minutes ago

MoreThe #Angels have acquired RH reliever Jim Johnson and international pool space from the Braves for minor league LHP Justin Kelly. More to come on this.

 

Jeff Fletcher‏Verified account @JeffFletcherOCR 7m7 minutes ago

Johnson, 34, had back-to-back 50-save seasons for the Orioles in 2012-13. Last year he had a 3.06 ERA, 9.5 K/9 (Eppler's favorite stat) and 20 saves. He is signed for one more year at $5M.

[Angelsfan1984]

It seems like Eppler only trades with Detroit and Atlanta!

[totdprods]

Ben Badler‏ @BenBadler 35s36 seconds ago

More

Ben Badler Retweeted Atlanta Braves

The Angels pick up international bonus pool space for 2017-18. Worth noting given all the talent that's become available recently.

[Stradling]

I wonder how much international money they received.  

[Hubs]

Johnson is making $5M in 2018 and is a free agent after that. 

[NorCal Halo]

Now teammates: Johnson vs. Upton

[Erstad Grit]

Eppler responding to petit leaving

[Angelsfan1984]

1 minute ago, Erstad Grit said:

Eppler responding to petit leaving

Its not a bad signing hoping for a bounce back from a capable closer. Although for the same money he could have had Petit so I'm hoping the international pool money is at least mildly significant.

[totdprods]

Happy with this move, he slots into the same role Norris or Hernandez would have filled. We needed some vet presence under contract for '18. At worst he's probably a good 6th/7th inning guy, at best, he's our closer.

[KevinStockerIsGod]

I am curious to see how much international money we are gaining.  We were near the bottom of available pool space and this trade basically is giving Atlanta a prospect for an erratic (either pretty good or really bad) reliever paid $5 mil next season.  With the Braves sanctions severely limiting international participation, I could this being more about the pool money than Jim Johnson. 

[KevinStockerIsGod]

Fletcher was a little off, Johnson had a 3.06 ERA in 2016.  Last year, it was 5.56....so I'm definitely thinking Angels took the gamble on Johnson for the pool money. 

[totdprods]

Just now, Angelsfan1984 said:

Its not a bad signing hoping for a bounce back from a capable closer. Although for the same money he could have had Petit so I'm hoping the international pool money is at least mildly significant.

I'm guessing it was the 2nd year/3rd year option is what kept us from re-signing Petit. His track record wasn't exactly dominant enough to guarantee that extra commitment. 

[Angel Oracle]

This is likely about both removing international pool money that the Braves can't use anyway, plus a salary dump. 

[Angelsfan1984]

Just now, KevinStockerIsGod said:

I am curious to see how much international money we are gaining.  We were near the bottom of available pool space and this trade basically is giving Atlanta a prospect for an erratic (either pretty good or really bad) reliever paid $5 mil next season.  With the Braves sanctions severely limiting international participation, I could this being more about the pool money than Jim Johnson. 

I agree, it seems more like a salary dump to me.

[totdprods]

Just now, KevinStockerIsGod said:

Fletcher was a little off, Johnson had a 3.06 ERA in 2016.  Last year, it was 5.56....so I'm definitely thinking Angels took the gamble on Johnson for the pool money. 

BBRef is strangely not loading '17 stats for players right now.

[Angelsfan1984]

1 minute ago, totdprods said:

I'm guessing it was the 2nd year/3rd year option is what kept us from re-signing Petit. His track record wasn't exactly dominant enough to guarantee that extra commitment. 

I thought it was a team option for the 2nd year?

[KevinStockerIsGod]

If the Angels plan on making a run at Ohtani or some of the recent prospects forfeited by Atlanta, this is a worthwhile endeavor and maybe we get a decent RP out of it.

[Angelsfan1984]

1 minute ago, KevinStockerIsGod said:

If the Angels plan on making a run at Ohtani or some of the recent prospects forfeited by Atlanta, this is a worthwhile endeavor and maybe we get a decent RP out of it.

I'd definitely consider adding the SS they lost out on. We have next to nothing in the pipelines as far as INF go. Ideally its Ohtani but id settle for some legit upside guys as well, if anything for just trade bait.

[Hubs]

2 minutes ago, Angelsfan1984 said:

I thought it was a team option for the 2nd year?

Nope. Petit was 2 years 9 M with a 1M buyout or team option on the third year.

[Docwaukee]

I think ATL only had 300k to give

[Scott Latimer]

MLBTradeRumors is reporting that international bonus money must be traded in increments of at least $250K, I believe Atlanta has $300K available. It would be nice if we were able to get all of that, but we will get at a minimum $250K. 

[Hubs]

Ohtani doesn't really fit here as a two way player unless they plan on him playing Right and Calhoun playing 1st.

If he's essentially a younger Hideki Matsui in the OF and Tanaka or Darvish on the mound, that's unprecedented, but I have a feeling he won't do either, and will end up somewhere in the middle on both, essentially being a great hitting pitcher, who can also backup some of the position players.

[totdprods]

5 minutes ago, KevinStockerIsGod said:

If the Angels plan on making a run at Ohtani or some of the recent prospects forfeited by Atlanta, this is a worthwhile endeavor and maybe we get a decent RP out of it.

Alternately, I wonder if the Angels could trade a boatload of int'l money to someone like NYY for some prospects from their deep farm (they're deep at 1B, MIF, and SP) - it'd help give NYY an edge in signing Ohtani (if the Angels know they have no chance) and make it more difficult for Texas to offer comparable money.

[Angelsfan1984]

2 minutes ago, Hubs said:

Nope. Petit was 2 years 9 M with a 1M buyout or team option on the third year.

Gotcha.

[Angelsfan1984]

1 minute ago, Hubs said:

Ohtani doesn't really fit here as a two way player unless they plan on him playing Right and Calhoun playing 1st.

If he's essentially a younger Hideki Matsui in the OF and Tanaka or Darvish on the mound, that's unprecedented, but I have a feeling he won't do either, and will end up somewhere in the middle on both, essentially being a great hitting pitcher, who can also backup some of the position players.

I keep thinking maybe he can play 1st base? He could save his arm but still be able to hit on his off days.