This news could be why Gus Schlosser was unceremoniously kicked to the curb last night:
The #Braves have signed free-agent RHP Jim Johnson to a one-year Major League contract.
— Atlanta Braves (@Braves) December 3, 2014
Johnson, a 2012 American League All-Star, led the majors with back-to-back 50-save seasons in 2012 (51) and 2013 (50). #Braves
— Atlanta Braves (@Braves) December 3, 2014
The Braves believe they have found a replacement for Jordan Walden in the bullpen (in case you missed it, Walden is now a Cardinal as part of the Jason Heyward trade). James Robert Johnson of Johnson City/Endicott, NY is now 31-1/2 years old (6’6″/240), and indeed was one of the best closers in baseball in 2012 and 2013. with over 100 saves in those years.
Hard to say what happened to him in 2014, but that magic vanished in stints with Oakland and Detroit: 53 innings (down from 91, 69, and 70 during the prior 3 years) and a 7.09 ERA (yikes). That after having be under 3.00 between 2010 and 2013.
So What Happened in 2014?
FanSided
In terms of velocity? Some, but not a lot: average fastball peaked at 95 mph in 2011, dipping by roughly a half-mph over each of the next 3 years (93.6 in 2014, but 93.8 in 2013). He’s still been using that pitch ~74% of the time with a curve (14%, ~80mph), and changeup (11-12%, 88 mph). So while he is down about 2 mph, that’s likely not enough – especially over a single season – to account for being hit so badly… unless his “stuff” went away as well.
The most significant change may be that his control betrayed him. Walk rates (per 9 innings) had been in the range of 2.0. In 2014 that became 5.9, leading to an extraordinary 1.95 WHIP. It would seem that whenever he needed to throw a strike, those strikes were being hammered.
While I was searching for words to explain this, Mark Bowman helped out:
Johnson's velo was down just a tick this year. Physically, he seemed fine. But confidence seemed to be an issue as the season progressed
— Mark Bowman (@mlbbowman) December 3, 2014
Whatever the reason, he’s certainly a bounce-back candidate, having posted ERA+ numbers in the 140-170 range until 2014’s 54. Hopefully the National League will be a favorable venue for him. It will be different in 2015 as Johnson will not come in to his new team as ‘the closer’, so perhaps that will help his psyche and general preparation.
The Numbers
Jim Johnson gets $1.6M base salary from #braves plus a potential $900,000 in performance bonuses, a source says.
— Jerry Crasnick (@jcrasnick) December 3, 2014
Walden was expected to get about $3.0m via arbitration. Based on career performance, this represents a bargain to get Johnson at this rate ($6.5m in 2013, $10m in 2014), but you have to believe that he will become “that guy” again to justify this contract. We will have to wait and see how that works out.
The Bullpen
So the Atlanta bullpen is probably set for 2015: Cory Gearrin and Jonny Venters were released. Jordan Walden was traded. Gus Schlosser was dumped. Arodys Vizcaino and Jim Johnson have been added. This latter pair should probably join Craig Kimbrel, David Carpenter, Anthony Varvaro, Luis Avilan… and perhaps one or two others fighting for the last couple of spots (Shae Simmons, Chasen Shreve, David Hale, Juan Jaime).
Now there’s that matter of the outfield – and offense – to consider. Plus one additional starting pitcher.