56 replies to this topic

[Oriole85]

I appreciate KLaw's work and effort he puts into scouting - one of a handful of scouts that I'd trust his opinion completely on a prospect in most cases. However, he doesn't seem to care that he can come across as a real dick via social media - I'm sure he loses readers that way.

I think the snarkiness is part of his appeal -- one of those, if you follow him you'll get entertainment.

[SportsGuy]

We have a ton of arms that could close. Johnson should be dealt.

[FlavaDave10]

We have a ton of arms that could close. Johnson should be dealt.

Johnson isn't your prototypical closer, but the guy gets strikeouts (albeit not to the extent of Strop) and more importantly, because he forces so many ground balls and so few fly balls, that really limits the chances the other team has to score. And we have a ton of arms who could close? Really? Other than Strop, there's no one.

[BSLChrisStoner]

We have a ton of arms that could close. Johnson should be dealt.

There are others who could close, but the currently most effective closer in the game is going nowhere as long as the Os are in it. If you are trying to win now, I'm not trading him. Strengths of this team are power, and ability to make games 7 inning affairs. Can't break that up even if trading Johnson makes sense long term.

[You Play to Win the Game]

There are others who could close, but the currently most effective closer in the game is going nowhere as long as the Os are in it. If you are trying to win now, I'm not trading him. Strengths of this team are power, and ability to make games 7 inning affairs. Can't break that up even if trading Johnson makes sense long term.

Right - If we are still in contention - the priority shifts from solely improving the team long term, to improving the team long term, while sustaining our current pace. While we have closer capable arms, it just wouldn't fly to trade Johnson in the midst of a pennant run.

[FlavaDave10]

There are others who could close, but the currently most effective closer in the game is going nowhere as long as the Os are in it. If you are trying to win now, I'm not trading him. Strengths of this team are power, and ability to make games 7 inning affairs. Can't break that up even if trading Johnson makes sense long term.

Right - If we are still in contention - the priority shifts from solely improving the team long term, to improving the team long term, while sustaining our current pace. While we have closer capable arms, it just wouldn't fly to trade Johnson in the midst of a pennant run.

Who other than Strop is closer-capable? For the record, Lindstrom would be like milk: a horrible choice.

[You Play to Win the Game]

Who other than Strop is closer-capable? For the record, Lindstrom would be like milk: a horrible choice.

In the middle of a pennant run, probably no one. In the future, there are some. Pomeranz possibly, Arrieta (that's another debate), and Strop just to name a few.

[FlavaDave10]

Who other than Strop is closer-capable? For the record, Lindstrom would be like milk: a horrible choice.

In the middle of a pennant run, probably no one. In the future, there are some. Pomeranz possibly, Arrieta (that's another debate), and Strop just to name a few.

Arrieta is a huge if. I like Pomeranz, but he has absolutely no success before this year. His career numbers: http://www.fangraphs...6382&position=P I like him as a long man/middle reliever, but nothing else at this point. Strop, I agree with, but he's about a year or two off. He really has to cut down on the walks unless he wants to be like David Robertson and just strike everybody out. Which he currently isn't doing.

[You Play to Win the Game]

Arrieta is a huge if. I like Pomeranz, but he has absolutely no success before this year. His career numbers: http://www.fangraphs...6382&position=P I like him as a long man/middle reliever, but nothing else at this point. Strop, I agree with, but he's about a year or two off. He really has to cut down on the walks unless he wants to be like David Robertson and just strike everybody out. Which he currently isn't doing.

Pomeranz's career #'s are valid to bring up - but don't concern me too much given his off the field issues and given how good he has looked up here from a velocity and stuff standpoint.

What about Hunter? He has the ability to dial it up when throwing less pitches - would he be an option?

[FlavaDave10]

Arrieta is a huge if. I like Pomeranz, but he has absolutely no success before this year. His career numbers: http://www.fangraphs...6382&position=P I like him as a long man/middle reliever, but nothing else at this point. Strop, I agree with, but he's about a year or two off. He really has to cut down on the walks unless he wants to be like David Robertson and just strike everybody out. Which he currently isn't doing.

Pomeranz's career #'s are valid to bring up - but don't concern me too much given his off the field issues and given how good he has looked up here from a velocity and stuff standpoint.

What about Hunter? He has the ability to dial it up when throwing less pitches - would he be an option?

Lord knows what to expect from Pomeranz. I wish I could see his velocity before this year. He's an intriguing option to say the least. If he continues to improve, maybe down the line he could be a closer. Hunter... no.

[SportsGuy]

We have a ton of arms that could close. Johnson should be dealt.

There are others who could close, but the currently most effective closer in the game is going nowhere as long as the Os are in it. If you are trying to win now, I'm not trading him. Strengths of this team are power, and ability to make games 7 inning affairs. Can't break that up even if trading Johnson makes sense long term.

The trade can happen in the offseason. No extension should be given.

[SportsGuy]

Hunter clearly can be a closer. Most starters can..hell, most relievers can.

Then you hav guys like Wright down in the minors.

[BSLChrisStoner]

The trade can happen in the offseason. No extension should be given.

If the O's fall out of things prior to 7/31, I'll feel different. I'd also be on on-board with a trade in the off-season. Just won't get behind trading Johnson during this season, as long as the O's are contending.

[LanceRinker]

Pomeranz's career #'s are valid to bring up - but don't concern me too much given his off the field issues and given how good he has looked up here from a velocity and stuff standpoint.

What about Hunter? He has the ability to dial it up when throwing less pitches - would he be an option?

I actually wrote something up on my thoughts about the rotation and bullpen before the season started and listed Tommy Hunter as my closing option if we moved Jim Johnson to the rotation. Here were my reasons why I'd make such a move:


Tommy Hunter would be my closer for three reasons:


1) He has a .220 batting average against when hitters are facing him for the first time when he comes into the game as a reliever in his career.


2) He has a .224 batting average against when he throws 25 pitches or less.


3) He has the ability to dial it up with his fastball reaching an average velocity of 92 mph. I know that’s not considered overwhelming by any means but starters when used as reliever can typically get an extra 1 or 2 mph on their fastball, so it’s not unreasonable to assume he could top out around 94 mph.

http://burningdowntheyard.com/?p=546

[SportsGuy]

The trade can happen in the offseason. No extension should be given.

If the O's fall out of things prior to 7/31, I'll feel different. I'd also be on on-board with a trade in the off-season. Just won't get behind trading Johnson during this season, as long as the O's are contending.

I would likely agree with this unless some team offers something crazy.

[LanceRinker]

The trade can happen in the offseason. No extension should be given.

If the O's fall out of things prior to 7/31, I'll feel different. I'd also be on on-board with a trade in the off-season. Just won't get behind trading Johnson during this season, as long as the O's are contending.

Well, Johnson can't be a free agent until after next season anyway - so I think we'd be just fine holding onto him as long as we're still in it.

However - there would definitely be some teams interested if he were made available:

Mets
Nationals
White Sox

..just to name a few..

[Oriole85]

Who other than Strop is closer-capable? For the record, Lindstrom would be like milk: a horrible choice.

At one point let's not forget many didn't think Jim Johnson was closer material. This whole concept -- closer capable pitchers -- is overrated IMO. This is the reason we mistakenly handed a lot of money and multi-year contracts to Gonzo and Gregg.