Athletics release Jim Johnson
The Oakland Athletics have released former Baltimore Orioles closer Jim Johnson. Johnson was traded to the Athletics this offseason and has a really tough go of it since joining the Athletics. Johnson has a 6.92 era and has only recorded two saves. For a closer that is still due a majority of his one-year $10 million dollar contract the Athletics really did not get their value back.
Johnson had his best season in 2012 for the Orioles when he recorded 51 saves and had a 2.49 era, Johnson was an All-Star that season. Johnson is known for being a good teammate and being good in the community. I would suggest that Johnson take the rest of the season off to get his head and arm right. Johnson has shown a dip in velocity and has been overused most of his career.
Johnson has not had any major injuries but the Orioles had a habit of sending Johnson out game in and game out. Johnson averaged 70 plus games for three straight seasons from 2011 to 2013, which I think has caught up to him.
Here is the Athletics press release.
A’s Recall Scribner from Sacramento; Designate Johnson for Assignment
OAKLAND, Calif. – The Oakland A’s recalled right-handed pitcher Evan Scribner from Triple-A Sacramento and designated right-handed pitcher Jim Johnson for assignment, the club announced today.
Scribner was on the A’s Opening Day roster and tossed 1.1 scoreless innings in two appearances before he was optioned to Sacramento April 7. He returned for a second stint June 17 but did not appear in a game before he was sent back to the River Cats June 20. The 29-year-old right-hander is 4-1 with a 3.35 ERA and .243 opponents batting average in 31 games with Sacramento and ranks fourth in the Pacific Coast League with 14 saves. Scribner has 57 strikeouts in 37.2 innings, an average of 13.62 strikeouts per nine innings, and has walked just seven for a strikeout-to-walk ratio of 8.14.
Johnson was 4-2 with two saves, one blown save, a 6.92 ERA and .353 opponents batting average in 38 relief appearances with the A’s. The ERA is the highest among Major League relievers as is his .434 opponents on-base percentage. His opponents batting average is the highest in the American League. Johnson has allowed 12 runs on 13 hits in 4.1 innings over his last five games.
