We just tweeted that sources have rumored that O’s closer George Sherrill has been traded to the Dodgers.
According to Ken Gurnick, “The Dodgers shored up their bullpen Thursday by acquiring Baltimore closer George Sherrill in exchange for two prospects, slugging third baseman Josh Bell and right-handed pitcher Steve Johnson, according to baseball sources.”
4:03 PM UPDATE: That’s Steve Johnson, former Oriole Dave Johnson’s son!
4:07 PM UPDATE: The Orioles have acquired Steve Johnson, son of former Orioles’ pitcher from 1989-1991, Dave Johnson.
Johnson’s combined A and AA stats in 2009 include a 9-5 record, 3.61 ERA, and 9.8 strike outs per nine innings.
Third baseman Josh Bell is hitting .296 in AA with 11 homeruns.
4:47 PM UPDATE: Josh Bell was a fourth round pick for the Dodgers in 2005. He’s 22 years old, is a switch hitting third baseman, and is listed at 6’3″, 235 pounds.
Scouts have claimed that Bell has great power at the plate, his defense is solid, but his arm is a little shaky.
Steve Johnson was promoted earlier this week to the Dodgers AA affilliate. He pitched six shutout innings with seven strikeouts and is now 1-1 with a 1.69 ERA in two starts at Chatanooga.