House That Hank Built
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August trade spots for Atlanta Braves veterans that could still happen

By Alan Carpenter

PHILADELPHIA, PA - JULY 30: Jim Johnson #53 of the Atlanta Braves throws a pitch in the eighth inning during a game against the Philadelphia Phillies at Citizens Bank Park on July 30, 2017 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The Phillies won 2-1. (Photo by Hunter Martin/Getty Images)
PHILADELPHIA, PA - JULY 30: Jim Johnson #53 of the Atlanta Braves throws a pitch in the eighth inning during a game against the Philadelphia Phillies at Citizens Bank Park on July 30, 2017 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The Phillies won 2-1. (Photo by Hunter Martin/Getty Images) /
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PHILADELPHIA, PA – JULY 30: Jim Johnson #53 of the Atlanta Braves throws a pitch in the eighth inning during a game against the Philadelphia Phillies at Citizens Bank Park on July 30, 2017 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The Phillies won 2-1. (Photo by Hunter Martin/Getty Images)
PHILADELPHIA, PA – JULY 30: Jim Johnson #53 of the Atlanta Braves throws a pitch in the eighth inning during a game against the Philadelphia Phillies at Citizens Bank Park on July 30, 2017 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The Phillies won 2-1. (Photo by Hunter Martin/Getty Images) /

Jim Johnson

PURPOSE:  7th/8th inning role to bridge a gap to the closer

For teams in the playoff hunt, let’s look at the clubs with the worst bullpen performance (ERA) over the past two weeks.

Would you believe that the Dodgers are among those near the bottom of that heap?  Still, they are winning, which means less use of Kenley Jansen (0.00 ERA in 5 games over that period), so I’m not worried about them.  Besides, after last year’s dive, I doubt that they would want to bring Johnson back to California.

But the Indians – another surprise – are also on the list and so are the Rockies, Royals (their Cardinals’ series didn’t go well) and the Astros.

For the Astros, everyone is beating them up for not acquiring a big starter before the deadline, but another way to support the pitching – assuming they have any left – is by bolstering the bullpen.

Complicating factor:  Johnson’s 2018 contract year… it’s not an option, though “only” $5 million.

OPTIONS:  In order of ‘best guesses’…

  • Astros.  Francisco Liriano has been terrible so far.
  • Royals.  Over the past 2 weeks, only 2 of their relievers have ERAs below 4.90.
  • Indians.  Not likely unless they want to block a rival.
  • Rockies.  In better shape because their better options are pitching okay.

This is a situation that could go down to the wire (as in ‘the end of August’) while teams watch to see if Johnson is indeed throwing better on a consistent basis.

So far in August?  3.2 innings, no runs allowed, and a .154 batters average against.

Those numbers in July?  8.1, 6, and .297.  Big difference.

ATLANTA, GA – JUNE 24: Brandon Phillips #4 of the Atlanta Braves catches Travis Shaw #21 of the Milwaukee Brewers in a first inning rundown, though Shaw would eventually be awarded third base on a balk call on pitcher R. A. Dickey (not pictured) at SunTrust Park on June 24, 2017 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Scott Cunningham/Getty Images)
ATLANTA, GA – JUNE 24: Brandon Phillips #4 of the Atlanta Braves catches Travis Shaw #21 of the Milwaukee Brewers in a first inning rundown, though Shaw would eventually be awarded third base on a balk call on pitcher R. A. Dickey (not pictured) at SunTrust Park on June 24, 2017 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Scott Cunningham/Getty Images) /

Brandon Phillips

OPTIONS:  I doubt that teams are ready to look at him as a third baseman yet, and thus there’s only a few places that need some help as his natural second base position.  But there are some possibilities.

The Angels, Brewers, Rangers, and Rays are all looking like they have needs at second since the All-Star break, but only the Brew Crew seems to be actively trying to make an upgrade here… though Ian Kinsler is apparently reluctant to go to Milwaukee – and thanks to his no-trade clause, he doesn’t have to.

But likewise, we don’t know what Phillips’ own limited NTC has on it, but it’s probable that at least one of those teams noted here could be an acceptable landing spot for him.

Of course right as I’m posting this…

So that crosses Milwaukee off the list…. maybe.

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