Wacky Idea: What If The Orioles Traded For Jim Johnson?

With Dylan Bundy and Hunter Harvey on the shelf, the Orioles won’t have much to add an elite starter to their rotation at the deadline. Sorry folks.

Don’t expect Johnny Cueto. Don’t expect Cole Hamels. Don’t expect David Price.

The Orioles don’t typically make those type of moves at the deadline anyway, but even if they wanted to, they don’t enough down on the farm to make it happen.

On Friday, Scott Garceau and Jeremy Conn asked me about a realistic move that I think the O’s could make before the trade deadline. I said that while a starter probably isn’t a possibility, maybe the Birds grab a shutdown reliever like they did last season with Andrew Miller to help shorten games.

I threw out Tyler Clippard‘s name.

But here’s a wacky thought: what about Jim Johnson?

Jim Johnson has allowed only 1 run in his last 18 appearances since June 9th. #cuethepretender

— Joe Papparotto (@JoePappa) July 22, 2015

Orioles don't have the pieces in the farm system to add a significant starter, but what about a reliever to shorten games? Jim Johnson???

— BalSportsReport (@BalSportsReport) July 22, 2015

Johnson has been lights out in Atlanta, is a free agent this winter who is making just $1.6 million this season and obviously has experience in Baltimore. Dan Duquette could grab him for less than Clippard and he’d be in a set up role, I’d assume the seventh with Darren O’Day and Zach Britton behind him.

Unrealistic? Probably, but it’s worth kicking around.