Orioles trade Johnson to A's

[Scott34]

Ken_Rosenthal 8:38pm via Tweetbot for Mac

Source: #Athletics acquire Jim Johnson from #Orioles for 2B Jemile Weeks.

 

 

 

I'll take "what the hell were the Orioles thinking" for $200, Alex

 

[AngelsAndRamsFan]

This was obviously posted earlier tonight.

 

 

Orioles Working To Trade Jim Johnson

By Jeff Todd [December 2 at 9:33pm CST]

The Orioles are working on trading closer Jim Johnson, reports Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports (Twitter links). The Athletics are "most involved" in those discussions, says Rosenthal, while the Dodgers are also talking but do not expect to land the big righty. 

 

With Johnson projected to earn $10.8MM in his final season of arbitration by MLBTR contributor Matt Swartz, he has increasingly been the subject of trade speculation. For an Orioles club that seems constrained in its efforts to fill other needs because of salary concerns, shedding Johnson certainly has some appeal. After all, as MLBTR's Tim Dierkes explained in the above-linke post, the save numbers that have driven up his salary arguably overstate his true value. Last year, Johnson registered a 2.94 ERA in 70 1/3 innings, and his 2013 FIP (3.45) and xFIP (3.38) do not frame him as a dominant reliever.

 

In that respect, the interest of the Athletics is somewhat surprising. Though the club does need to replace closer Grant Balfour in some manner, it would cut against GM Billy Beane's track record to dedicate that much cash to a single reliever. And while the Dodgers have not hesitated to throw dollars at the bullpen, the club is set with Kenley Jansen at closer and is already carrying the sizeable contract of Brandon League. 

[DW711]

Thanks, Baltimore.

[Second Base]

A's are paying 10 million for a closer not named Balfour while the O's will lose a very good RP.  I just don't see a benefit for either team.  Will Baltimore really play Weeks everyday at 2B?  Did the A's really need to spend money on Johnson when they likely could've given the same amount to Balfour?

 

Just hard to wrap my head around this one. 

[jshep]

Well, that's an awfully hefty salary for a reliever, but ya, Weeks is awfully underwhelming at the same time.

[m0nkey]

Over 10 million for an inconsistent closer?

[bloodbrother]

WTF is going on. Detroit and Baltimore giving up quality players for little to nothing

[Scott34]

Over 10 million for an inconsistent closer?

 

Inconsistent?? Dude is a horse.

[ettin]

Ken_Rosenthal 8:38pm via Tweetbot for Mac

Source: #Athletics acquire Jim Johnson from #Orioles for 2B Jemile Weeks.

 

 

 

I'll take "what the hell were the Orioles thinking" for $200, Alex

 

Actually it seems like a decently smart move. The Orioles recently picked up Cord Phelps on waivers and they acquired Weeks to have a competition in Spring Training for a roster spot. The Orioles are tight on cash this season and going the "cheap" route at 2B was probably a very appealing option.

 

From 2011-2013 Phelps has a .363 OBP and slugs better against RHP. Weeks has a .388 OBP over the same time frame. He doesn't slug like Phelps can but he has more speed.

 

To be honest the move has some risks to it but it is a decent gamble in my opinion. Heck they might even platoon the two and have Weeks hit RHP and Phelps against LHP.

[m0nkey]

Didn't know Johnson finished with a sub 3 era.  All I remember is his awful May

[mancini79]

Johnson was inconsistent last year.

2013 stats, 85% save rate, 1.28 WHIP, 2.94 ERA, 50 Saves

2012 stats, 95% save rate, 1.02 WHIP, 2.49 ERA, 51 Saves.

 

The O's gave Johnson many opportunities last season and he has a low save rate for a pitcher of his pay. Even Frieri pulled off a 90% save rate and people knock him for being inconsistent.

[jshep]

So I guess O'Day is Baltimore's closer now(and a damn fine one, at that).

[Stradling]

We should trade them their next closer, Mr. Kevin Jepsen.

[Dochalo]

Joe Smith is Jim Johnson without the saves and half the salary. 

[DW711]

Joe Smith is Jim Johnson without the saves and half the salary. 

 

and a totally different styles/pitches.

 

People get paid more when they pitch the 9th instead of the 7th/8th!

 

Not to say Smith is bad at all...I think it was a great signing.

[Chuckster70]

WTF is going on. Detroit and Baltimore giving up quality players for little to nothing

Yeah, scratching my head on these past two trades as well.

[Dochalo]

and a totally different styles/pitches.

 

People get paid more when they pitch the 9th instead of the 7th/8th!

 

Not to say Smith is bad at all...I think it was a great signing.

 

Don't get defensive.  He's a nice add imo.  Seems like an odd couple of moves for the A's though committing 20mil in salary to him and Kazmir. 

 

Did  they get some sort of notice that they would be allowed to move to San Jose? 

[DW711]

Not defensive. Just saying it's not a direct comparison, imo.

 

The A's had more money to spend this off-season. I doubt they're going anywhere.

[ELEVEN]

I wouldn't be surprised if they flipped Johnson for another piece or two.

[DW711]

I would.

[Brent Maguire]

Johnson actually increased his K/9 rate significantly last year while sacrificing just a few more walks. 

 

2012: 15.2 K% 5.6 BB%

2013: 19.2 K% 6.2 BB%

 

His BABIP was also way out of line compared to his normal rates(.327 in 2013, .251 and .268 the years before). There's no doubt he's getting overpaid based on his saves but he's been a damn good reliever the past 3 years. 

 

It's a good deal for both sides. A's are getting one of the better relievers in baseball and don't have huge payroll issues. O's are shedding money and can plug O'Day in at closer and not lose a ton. 

[Coachbulldog]

Johnson actually increased his K/9 rate significantly last year while sacrificing just a few more walks. 

 

2012: 15.2 K% 5.6 BB%

2013: 19.2 K% 6.2 BB%

 

His BABIP was also way out of line compared to his normal rates(.327 in 2013, .251 and .268 the years before). There's no doubt he's getting overpaid based on his saves but he's been a damn good reliever the past 3 years. 

 

It's a good deal for both sides. A's are getting one of the better relievers in baseball and don't have huge payroll issues. O's are shedding money and can plug O'Day in at closer and not lose a ton. 

 

The trade also fits with the A's long term philosophy; at the end of 2014 they will make a qualifying offer to Johnson, he will turn it down, and the A's will receive a draft pick when he signs elsewhere.  

[Inside Pitch]

The trade also fits with the A's long term philosophy; at the end of 2014 they will make a qualifying offer to Johnson, he will turn it down, and the A's will receive a draft pick when he signs elsewhere.  

 

Or they will trade him at the deadline for a useful piece.   They know how to manage their assets.

[Tank]

roy firestone is very upset and on his facebook page called this the worst trade of the year. 

 

he's an orioles fan, for those who don't know

[jsnpritchett]

roy firestone is very upset and on his facebook page called this the worst trade of the year. 

 

he's an orioles fan, for those who don't know

 

Roy Firestone still exists?