Atlanta Braves sign Jim Johnson to one-year deal
On Monday night the Atlanta Braves announced that they had signed 32-year-old reliever Jim Johnson to a one-year deal. Johnson will make $2.5 million in 2016, and the Braves will hope that he recovers from a disastrous stint with the Los Angeles Dodgers.
#Braves agree to terms with RHP Jim Johnson on one-year contract; Free-agent reliever returns to bullpen for the 2016 campaign
— Atlanta Braves (@Braves) November 30, 2015
Baltimore drafted Johnson with a 5th round pick in the 2001 draft, and he spent parts of eight seasons pitching for their major league club. In 2012 and 2013, Johson took on the full-time closer role. In both of those seasons he led the league in saves (51 and 50, respectively). During the 2012 campaign he was an All-Star, and he also received down ballot Cy Young and MVP votes. That year he pitched 68.2 innings with a 2.49 ERA.
Following the 2013 season the Orioles traded Johnson to the A’s for Jemile Weeks and a player to be named later. Things took a turn for the worse while in Oakland. In 40.1 innings he racked up a 7.14 ERA, and his BB/9 spiked to 5.1. On August 1 Johnson was released by the A’s, but the Tigers took a chance on him. His season didn’t turn around in Detroit. In 16 games for the Tigers he ran a 6.92 ERA with 8.3 BB/9.
Johnson started last season with the Braves, and it looked like he had returned to form. He knocked his ERA back down to 2.25, and he became a reliable option out of the bullpen once again. In July he was dealt to the Dodgers in the deal that allowed Atlanta to acquire Hector Olivera. Unfortunately for the Dodgers he returned to his 2014 form with a 10.13 ERA.
Next: Boston Red Sox to sign Chris Young
The Braves aren’t expected to contend at all next season, so it doesn’t really hurt to take a flyer on a guy like Johnson. He’s shown in the past that he can be really good when he’s on, but there will be a lot of questions regarding whether or not he can find his stuff. Johnson’s signing is something of a lottery ticket for the Braves He could be a key piece in their bullpen, or this could be one of his final chances at the major league level. For $2.5 million it is not a huge risk for Atlanta.