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Orioles Release Michael Bourn, Release & Re-Sign Chris Johnson

By Jeff Todd | March 29, 2017 at 9:29am CDT

TODAY: Johnson has re-signed on a minors deal, Roch Kubatko of MASNsports.com tweets. As Kubatko and others have noted on Twitter, Bourn seems likely to follow suit; neither player’s locker was cleared out despite their respective releases.

MONDAY: The Orioles have announced the releases of outfielder Michael Bourn and infielder Chris Johnson. In Bourn’s case, he utilized his opt-out clause, with the team evidently unwilling to place him on the 40-man roster.

Of course, Bourn has missed most of spring camp with a broken finger, which sapped any chance at making the Opening Day roster. But it had seemed there was a chance he’d remain in the organization while rehabbing to see whether there’d be an opportunity when he returned to full health.

That said, the fit in Baltimore was never that great — at least from an outside perspective. In Hyun Soo Kim and Seth Smith, the O’s already have a pair of lefty bats that ought to occupy the corners whenever there’s a righty on the mound. And while Bourn could have spelled Adam Jones in center, that wasn’t exactly a burning need. The righty-swinging Craig Gentry could fill that role while also providing a more sensible platoon option in the corners.

It still won’t come as much of a surprise if Bourn resurfaces in the majors before long. Whether he’ll wait to sign until he’s ready to return isn’t clear, but in either event he could represent an intriguing depth option for a variety of organizations. After all, though his bat has steadily declined of late, he finished strong last year with the O’s and is still capable of contributing in the field and with the glove.

As for Johnson, a solid spring (.269/.310/.493) wasn’t enough to move the needle for the O’s, who seem likely to prioritize flexibility and defense with their bench mix. The 32-year-old had been a rather productive major league hitter before signing an extension with the Braves early in the 2014 season. Over the past three campaigns, he has scuffled to a .252/.288/.348 batting line in 1,068 plate appearances.

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Baltimore Orioles Transactions Chris Johnson Michael Bourn

Nationals Release Vance Worley
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AL East Notes: Yankees, Duffy, Sucre, Rutledge, Smith, Price
View Comments (26)

Comments

  1. opethsdeliverance

    5 years ago

    Bourn just makes too much sense for the Braves.

    Reply
    • Keith Lockhart's glove

      5 years ago

      If there’s no confidence in Emilio Bonifacio. They’re both not making the team. I think depth is a weakness for the 2017 Braves and I prefer the versatility of Bonifacio. However, if Chase d’Arnaud can stand in for what Sean Rodriguez could have been for the Braves this year then I’ll take Bourn over Bonifacio.

      Reply
      • realgone2

        5 years ago

        Great screen name.

        Reply
    • southi

      5 years ago

      No offense but besides the abilities to play centerfield and breathe, why do you feel that Bourn makes too much sense for the Braves? As it stands now they have 3 regular everyday type outfielders who all stand to seldom take days off. Yes, Bourn probably belongs on some team’s bench, but I personally think that he is not a better option than either Bonafacio nor Jace Peterson (who both can fill in short term in centerfield). Also Bourn does nothing but replicates the type of player the Braves already have on the bench, that is mediocre defense and very little offense. If anything the Braves probably need a right handed hitting player with at least a modest bat who is also qualified to fill in at centerfield IF the team is going to make a change this late in the spring.

      Reply
  2. bastros88

    5 years ago

    Does this mean Gentry made the team, because I would love to see him rebound after a couple bad seasons

    Reply
  3. thegreatcerealfamine

    5 years ago

    Always kills me when some people see these stories then write a post saying their team should pick them up. Waiting to see a story about the Mets releasing Tebow and someone suggesting their team take a flyer..oh it’ll happen.

    Reply
    • opethsdeliverance

      5 years ago

      if it kills you, why are you not dead? or are you that type of person who says, “I’m done” or “dead” when something funny comes up?

      Reply
      • thegreatcerealfamine

        5 years ago

        ????

        Reply
      • opethsdeliverance

        5 years ago

        The two dislikes are people who say “I’m dead” when are faced with humor!

        Reply
      • layventsky

        5 years ago

        Maybe they’re “literally dying” due to losing their ability to even.

        Reply
    • LA Sam

      5 years ago

      Tebow would look great in pinstripes!!!

      Reply
      • thegreatcerealfamine

        5 years ago

        Hope you mean with a tie on the set of college game day.

        Reply
  4. jgiun1@yahoo.com

    5 years ago

    It kills me how good Tebow would look on the Pirates team. Please don’t tease me, it’s killing me

    Reply
    • GareBear

      5 years ago

      Dead right now XD

      Reply
  5. Just Another Fan

    5 years ago

    Oh look, another CF the moron A’s are passing on in favor of the utterly mediocre Mark Canha fresh off hip surgery moving to CF to spell Rajai, but if Raj gets hurts they really are going to rue not having De Aza, Bourn or Pagan on the roster.

    Reply
  6. bronxboy28

    5 years ago

    If I were the Yankees I would jump on Chris Johnson. I would cut Chris Carter. Strikes out too much! He ca play third and first and outfield.

    Reply
    • ducksnort69

      5 years ago

      As a Rays fan I hope they do exactly what you say. In fact, I hope they hire you as their GM 😉

      Reply
  7. realgone2

    5 years ago

    All you people wanting bourn on your team are murderers!!!!!!!! You should be ashamed!

    Reply
  8. 1988wasalongtimeago

    5 years ago

    The Bourne Identity.

    Reply
  9. Trevor

    5 years ago

    I’m dead.

    Reply
  10. maskofroenicke

    5 years ago

    Great! I didn’t like either signing…….

    Reply
  11. jligenza708

    5 years ago

    Detroit tigers need a outfielder

    Reply
  12. willie

    5 years ago

    Deader than Jeff Weaver’s arm?

    Reply
  13. steelciti

    5 years ago

    Bourn to the giants

    Reply
  14. supertalls

    5 years ago

    Oriole’s should resign Bourn and then trade him to the mets for tebow.

    I’ll take a flier and pass it on to the zombies in the stands 🙂

    Reply
  15. jsaldi

    5 years ago

    Seems like everyone makes sense for the braves

    Reply

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