No question about it. If the Orioles find themselves in a save opportunity tonight against the Yankees, Buck Showalter will hand the ball to Jim Johnson. “Come back tomorrow and watch it again,” Showalter told reporters after Johnson blew his third consecutive save in Monday’s 6-4 loss.
Is that really the move?
I’m not sure Showalter has another choice. You’ve got to have confidence in the guy that had 51 saves last season. Johnson’s problems are clear, he’s keeping the sinker up and struggling to hit his target behind home plate. The only way to fix it is to hand him the ball.
Besides, who would you want to take the ball in a save situation?
Brian Matusz has been the Orioles most solid reliever, but I question his mental makeup in such a critical role. Tommy Hunter seems to have found consistency, but can sometimes lose his command just as Johnson has of late. I wouldn’t mess with Darren O’Day in the setup role and that pretty much just leaves Pedro Strop.
That’s not happening.
It’s the right move for Showalter to keep his faith in Johnson. Sure, he’s been responsible for three of the team’s six straight losses, but his track record is long enough to keep running him out there. At least for the time being.
Hey Zach,,,,,it doesn’t matter , the O’s are who we thought they were after that meaningless off-season where they didn’t improve the club by not finding a four spot hitter and not finding a number one pitcher and yea and what about second base not to mention a number two pitcher or a power hitting outfielder,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,they are what they are , an average ballclub………………too many holes to be for real Zach……………….
They found a four spot hitter – his name is Chris Davis.
Aside from Zach Greinke, what #1 pitcher did you want them to go after? I’m sure the Phillies would be willing to unload that cast of “#1’s” they have up there.
Power hitting outfielder? You mean like Hamilton or BJ Upton? Or how about Morse who had 2 good weeks in Seattle. Who were you looking for them to get? Maybe Justin Upton? Do you think the O’s farm system is equipped to have pulled off that deal? LMAO.
Second baseman…Who did you want?
Love the fans that toss out what they “need” to do, but don’t offer up solutions.
The Orioles farm system was barren. It has been mismanaged, not for 14 years, but more like 35 years. The farm system has produced 3 position player All Stars in 35 years – Ripken, Roberts, and Wieters.
Peter Angelos bought the team in 1993, 12 years after their last position player All Star took the field. All the blame that gets laid at Angelos’ feet shouldn’t be for what he’s done the 2-3 years, but maybe for all the free spending – Bonilla, Palmeiro, Alomar, Bordick, Belle – he did in his early years while continuing the legacy of previous ownership groups who ignored the farm system and player development.
Nothing you can do about the last 35 years but trudge on (AND quit pretending this started 14 years ago) and continue rebuilding and player development. Plug in an occasional resonably priced free agent here or there, but continue to develop.
Again, see Tampa Bay and the early years Marlins.
I was going to respond to Spy, but you just said everything I would have exactly.
JJ is the single point of success (or failure lately). In the words of Derek Jeter, I ain’t panicking but if the Orioles do not find a way to win the next two outta three from the Yankees, don’t look now fellas but the season might be over for the Birds before Memorial Day. Being three games out is doable, being five or seven games out might be too much to ask even with 115 games to play. It’s win time baby and let’s double down over the next two days.
What did the Cards want for Kyle Lohse? His win-loss record isn’t good but his ERA is 3.76 and 1.277 WHIP is better than what is currently in the rotation. Along with experience to school the young guys in the game within the game.