Minor league starter, long man, middle reliever or set up man/closer? Jim Johnson has played myriad of roles for the Oriole organization this year. Lately he has been used as a set up man to get to closer George Sherrill. Earlier he was used as a long man while Adam Loewen couldn't get the ball over the plate. Many fans here see him as a closer.
Johnson has been in jams night after night and has been able to get out of them. Last night against the Nats Chad Bradford had two men on and two out before being removed in favor of Dennis Sarfate. Sarfate let the two inherited runners score. Manager Dave Trembley turned to Johnson. After Johnson loaded the bases by blasting Lastings Milledge with a pitch to the back of the shoulder he struck out Austin Kearns.
Quite an impressive year it has been for Johnson who started at Triple-A Norfolk in the rotation this season. So what next?
My speculation, and that's all it is at this point, is the Orioles may trade George Sherrill for some more minor leaguers and let Jim Johnson close. Chris Ray, on the shelf after Tommy John surgery, may not be back this season and Johnson has proven he can get out of jams. I say, go get'em J.J.
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1 comments:
I'd be a little patient on this move. There's no compelling reason to move Sherrill - he's doing a good job, only a year 1 arb eligible, and has experience. JJ's pitched all of 24 ML innings.
I'd ride him in a setup role, see how he handles it for a bit. His current K rate and career H rate don't scream closer to me, and guys who can get guys out with men on base are certainly useful commodities. Sherrill will be a very valuable trade piece at the deadline (barring a meltdown which I don't foresee), but he'd also be valuable next season either as a closer to allow Ray to ease back in or a solid lefty setup guy. 2 decent LRP's is a nice thing to have in the AL East.
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