For now, Johnson is staying in the pen
Dave Trembley mentioned late last season that there was some sentiment in the O's organization and even among the coaching staff, to move Jim Johnson into the starting rotation
After all, that was his role throughout his entire time in the minors.
But, with spring training now less than three months away, that talk has cooled according to the O's manager.
"We have not discussed that about him at all. If that were going to happen, we would have already discussed it. I would think he's going to be in the bullpen," Trembley said.
"His value for us was being that eighth inning guy, they are hard to find. For us right now, that's probably his strong suit, pitching late in the game."
Johnson went 10 for 16 in save situations last year, and was eight of 11 after George Sherrill was traded. But it appears he won't be in the closer mix in 2010.
"I think it was just a new situation for him. There were some situations where one pitch made the difference. JJ may have thought he had to do something more or better than he did as an eighth inning guy. I don't think it was nerves, this guy is as competitive, focused and hard-nosed as anyone you can imagine."
Today, with the Winter Meetings days away, the O's closer situation is unclear.
"I think it's an unsettled area that will be addressed as we go forward. I would prefer to put Johnson back in the situation where he was most successful and that was the eighth inning.
"The closer situation is something we need to explore and probably look at from outside the organization. Andy has been up front that it's an area we need to look at.
"It would benefit us heading into spring training to have as many set roles as we could. The more slots you can have set is better. It's easier for the players when you have defined roles."
Coming later today - I'll present Dave Trembley's take on the Winter Meetings coming up and what his role will be in Indianapolis.
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Categories (click for archive)Orioles News | Steve Melewski |
Seems to be some conflicting messages about the closing situation here in Baltimore. Seems to be that MacPhail doesn't want to spend a bunch for a closing option so:
Wagner was out of the question even before he signed with the Braves:
Mike Gonzalez: Isn't that dominant to be a type A, and the money it would take to sign him as a closer.
Soriano: Can't imagine what his price tag will be, but it won't be cheap.
Other than that, who else is out there that would be affordable and do a better job than anyone in house such as Koji (who I thought was the leading candidate from within) a healthy Chris Ray, or just taking a stab in the dark with a guy like Kam Mickolio?
I would have to think that closer should be a back-burner issue because the starting rotation needs help, and we need at least one corner infield option. Wigginton and Scott don't seem to be the internal options or else the O's wouldn't be looking for somebody as an upgrade.
Not sure what MacPhail is planning, but I am very curious to see the moves he makes.
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Valverde (type A) and Rodney (type B) also out there.
probably best for the team. try to shorten the game to 6-7 innings and hope the bullpen and do it's job. you would hope the young pitchers will improve on their rookie year and be able to go at least 6 innings on a consistent basis.
I have no problems with JJ staying in the pen as long as it's as a setup man and not closer.
Steve, any word on Bergesen? I keep hearing he is still in "rehab" yet I see he is suppose to play tennis in the Pam Shriver event at the arena. Granted it's all an exhibition and in fun, but for someone who is suppose to still have a sore leg is that wise?
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That's probably a good sign. He has started a running program and everyone is insisting he will be ready for sure come spring......Steve
He should have been tried out as a starter right from the beginning. He posseses an excellent sinking fast ball, a good slider and an average changeup. Had he been a starter right from the beginning he could have refined his changeup some more to complete his repertoire. He has the stuff to be a 15 game winner in the major leagues. It's easier and cheaper to find an 8th inning guy in the free agent market than it's to find a 15 game winner. Had he established himself as an starter he could have been a major cog in bringing Adrian Gonzalez here. I say Orioles mishandled this situation. Has anybody asked Johnson what he wants? What's your take on this Steve?
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I'm not nearly as certain as you that he would have success as a stater while he has really thrived in the 8th-inning role. I'm thinking he's where he should be for now, Sudhir......Steve
Sudhir,
You should take a look at Jim Johnson's numbers in the minor leagues before you declare him a 15 game winner in the majors. Without looking it up, I think his last two full seasons in the minors he posted an ERA above 4.00.
And no, I do not know the minor league stats of all our players, I've just had this starter/reliever discussion regarding JJ in the past.
He's thrived as a reliever in the majors, while I'd say he was rather average as a starter in the minors. Average starters in the minors do not make great, good, or even average major league starters.
"Other than that, who else is out there that would be affordable and do a better job than anyone in house such as Koji (who I thought was the leading candidate from within) a healthy Chris Ray, or just taking a stab in the dark with a guy like Kam Mickolio?"
See: David Aardsma. Signed on a minor league deal, one of the best closers in the AL. I imagine that's the kind of guy MacPhail will be looking at.
Koji for closer.
Nobody can hit him the first time through the lineup. If he has to throw 20-30 pitches, he's damn good.
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You're right, teams hit just .202 the first time thru the lineup vs. him last year. it went up to .292 the second time thru. Makes you think, plus he gives quite a different style and look than most pitchers on the staff.
Two concerns here though. How healthy will he be and how durable is he? Can he work back to back games? But he is in the mix, for sure......Steve
I think it will be good to have Johnson back in the 8th inning. It seems to me that it would also work to have him pitch the 7th and 8th in some situations. He's had previous experience as a starter pitching multiple innings, and he has pitched 2 innings a number of times in his relief role. Many times he comes in and gets out of that 8th inning with only 10-11 pitches.
I also like the idea of giving Koji an opportunity to close. He had two seasons experience doing that in Japan I believe, so the role is familiar to him. Considering he wants to start, and that he isn't durable enough to start, the closer is the next-most glorified pitching player on the team after the starters.
Johnson has had Major League (not minor league) success in the set-up role. Since the O's have so many roles to address, why create another? Leave him where he was - not a closer (yet) but set-up role for 2010.
Many people forget that Koji was a closer in Japan for a season.
IN 2007 He pitched 55 games, racked up 32 Saves, walked 4 guys and struck out 66 in 62 innings. IN 2008 he came back to pitch 89innings as a spot starter and reliever.
This is why I would want Koji as a closer option. Sure he isn't a flame thrower like a lot of closers, but Sherrill didn't exactly throw much harder and Koji has something Sherrill didn't, control. Doug Jones also showed you can be an effective closer without 90MPH heat. Koji has at least 4 pitches he can use, will throw strikes, and attacks hitters. Sounds good to me.
As far as Valverde and Rodney, Fernando Rodney isn't all that great and I don't think is any better than what Koji could give, and not sure the O's want to give up a pick (if they would have to because of their record) for a type A guy.