9:08pm: Johnson is entering tonight’s game in a save situation, so it certainly doesn’t appear that a deal is nearing finalization at this moment.
6:01pm: The Braves are nearing a deal involving veteran right-hander Jim Johnson, according to SB Nation’s Chris Cotillo (Twitter links). He adds that the Blue Jays and Mets are among the teams that have shown at least some interest in the reliever. As MLB.com’s Mark Bowman notes on Twitter, Atlanta is carrying ten pen arms tonight, which could be due in part to the possibility of a swap going down.
Johnson, 33, could join infielder Kelly Johnson in signing with the Braves in consecutive years, only to be dealt each summer. Last season, he went to the Dodgers as part of the monster, three-team swap engineered at the deadline, only to re-sign with Atlanta on a one-year, $2.5MM pact.
For the season, Johnson carries a 4.21 ERA with 7.9 K/9 against 3.5 BB/9. Johnson’s average fastball velocity has dropped just below 93 mph for the first time in his career, but that hasn’t stopped the sinker-baller from checking in with a hefty groundball rate — it stands at 56.4% at present. He has been prone to the long ball when batters have put it in the air, with a 16.7% HR/FB rate, but he’s only allowing 0.74 dingers per nine.
Clearly, Johnson isn’t going to be valued like he was in his heyday as the Orioles closer. But teams looking to add depth to their pen will surely take a look, particularly if they are intrigued by the idea of adding an arm that’s capable of generating lots of grounders without adding significant payroll or coughing up much in terms of prospects.
I didnt think anyone would fall for him again this year. Let’s just say im 100% the Dodgers wont be trading for him
lol
Mets with also Nick M. Or Aybar or Beckham.
Wonder who is gettin him. Can’t imagine much of a return.
Could be the giants but whereas they may not get a Miller, i would think they would shoot a little higher
True, as long as they do not have to give up much. I would not want to see them give up a stronger prospect than mejia.
Giants?
Hmm.. frankly, I could see the Braves asking only that the receiving team pay for Johnson’s air fare and calling it even.
It’s the Dodgers! 😉
Where did you here it’s them. If it’s the Blue Jays then how about Him and Teheran for Pomprey,Pentecost and other Prospects?
Not interested at all. Pentecost is broken and not worth that trade.
I don’t think he’s going to make any team better, shocked someone would be after him.
I can’t wait to see him not under the Braves box score. Can’t. Wait. Give us your redheaded stepchild.
If it’s the Gisnts do you think Susac has a chance to come back to us ????
no.
hell no
Steeler man? Is Julio going with him?
Add some boot and get Plawecki if it is the Mets, Same for Pentecost if its the Jays.
Feel kind of bad for whoever the Braves sucker this year, even if the return is literally nothing.
Excellent news.
Dingers
Really curious if the exaggerated pitching values will carry all the way to middle relievers. I am also hoping he won’t be returning to the Tigers.
It’s Jim Johnson, Braves would be doing more than great if they got airfare and a new batting cage for Johnson.
Braves should settle for airfare and a new batting GLOVE after Johnson’s performance down the stretch last year.
Braves have a habit of not just trading one player. Id be surprised if Johnson isnt moved with someone else like Markakis or Aybar as well
I don’t think jim johnson is enough to move Markakis. Maybe Aybar, but not Markakis.
As crazy as it sounds some team out there actually sees Johnson as a . Same thing with Markakis
*plus
No doubt, but enough to move both of them? Markakis is what, $11m/yr?
I thought for a second that your Johnson comment was actually a clue for the new Match Game.
As a Dodger fan, I really hope it’s the Giants.
Jeez please please don’t be the Giants. There’s no way they would get him. Someone else…
I really don’t think the Giants would do this. I hope it’s the Dodgers or Marlins :)only thing worse would be Oakland … God
I saw a report him and markakis were going to the Giants for Susac and beede. The braves were eating all but 2.5 million left on markakis salary for them throwing in beede
Yep DOB says its 90% done finalizing deal and taking players out of the game
Link? I can’t find anything about it.
Wow I almost believed you
DOB Twitter account
See, thats just mean. I watched beede pitch tonight for the flying squirrels. Had me excited 🙁
I was going to write if Johnson was really as bad as people were writing, then I looked at his stats.
Three way Deal
Los Angeles Dodgers get Jay Bruce from Cincinnati and Aaron Blair from the Braves. Atlanta Braves get Yasiel Puig from the Dodgers and Tyler Stephenson from the Reds.
Cincinnati Reds gets Trayce Thompson and Alex Wood from Los Angeles and Kolby Allard from Atlanta.
Allard is worth far more than anything else in this trade.
No way braves give up allard for puig that’s a joke
No way in Hell we trade Allard and Blair for Puig and Stephenson. Allard is the #75 prospect in MLB and Blair was one of our top ones before he graduated. Puig has been bad this year with prior behavioral problems and I’ve never heard of Stephenson and I’m a huge baseball fan. This proposal of yours is awful.
I think JJ gets moved today.