Atlanta Braves give Jim Johnson a two year extension
There will be one less reliever in the free agent market as the Atlanta Braves give Jim Johnson a two year extension
The Atlanta Braves have been much better in the second half of this season than in the first. One of those reasons has been the pitching of Jim Johnson in the back of the bullpen. The 33 year old was installed as the closer and in the second half of the season recorded 17 saves with a 2.20 ERA and over a strikeout per inning. The team decided to reward Johnson for that performance and will keeping the right-hander in Atlanta.
The #Braves have agreed to terms with RHP Jim Johnson on a 2-year Major League contract for the 2017 & 2018 seasons. pic.twitter.com/g4p1FXfo5E
— Atlanta Braves (@Braves) October 2, 2016
#Braves Jim Johnson said plan for now is him to be closer, but that he'll do any role they ask.
— David O'Brien (@DOBrienATL) October 2, 2016
Terms of the deal have not been announced.
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We don’t know exactly what kind of deal he would have gotten as a free agent. However, if Johnson wanted to stay in Atlanta and the Braves want to keep him then it makes all the sense in the world for the two sides to make a deal.
Johnson revitalized his career with Braves pitching coach Roger McDowell's assistance. They've formed a great working relationship
— Mark Bowman (@mlbbowman) October 2, 2016
Johnson’s K/9 of 9.33 this year is the highest of his career. Another key to Johnson’s success has been the ability to get more soft contact. Per Fangraphs, his 22.5% soft contact rate is his best since 2011. In August he held opponents to just a .150 batting average and since September opponents are hitting just .250.
I couldn’t see them trying to sign a big name closer like Aroldis Chapman or Kenley Jansen. The Braves may be players in free agency, but keeping Johnson for a lower rate could help them add to another part of their team.
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The Atlanta Braves are trying to be as competitive as possible next season as they move into their new stadium. Keeping Jim Johnson in the fold can help them do that.