Johnson is untouchable? O's refused to talk trade with several teams

[Sports Guy]

Here's a question. Isn't this a clear signal that Baltimore doesn't realistically think they will be competing next year either? I mean, Johnson has been with this org for some time now. Shouldn't this "see what we have" starter audition have happened this year? I just don't get it. I have a fear that Baltimore will be entering the off-season with the same holes as last year, and will be using 2012 to again "see what we have" with the young arms. That time has come and gone, right? Either you believe in the core you've built and you run with it, or you start making some strategic large moves and see if you can put together a core you DO believe in.

Are you really trying to figure out the rationalization of an organization run by clueless people?

[JTrea81]

MacPhail overvaluing relief pitching as usual.

It's not like Johnson's going to be cheap either.

Not to mention they've abused him this year, so the chances of him being injured later this year or if not ineffective next year are high.

This is when you sell a guy like this. Putting him in the starting rotation is desperation and taking a strength and rendering it moot.

JJ isn't going to dial it up into the mid-high 90s with movement as a starter.

God I hope MacPhail walks after this season!

[TGO]

Perhaps Macphail is playing poker here. We will see.the trade deadline is a couple of weeks away.

I will admit that this is possible. He could be trying to get teams to call back with better offers. BUT, I think this market will have plenty of relievers, and brushing away teams with offers instead of negotiating directly with them could well backfire. San Diego alone has seven relievers they could offer up for trade.

[clapdiddy]

MacPhail overvaluing relief pitching as usual.

It's not like Johnson's going to be cheap either.

Not to mention they've abused him this year, so the chances of him being injured later this year or if not ineffective next year are high.

This is when you sell a guy like this. Putting him in the starting rotation is desperation and taking a strength and rendering it moot.

JJ isn't going to dial it up into the mid-high 90s with movement as a starter.

God I hope MacPhail walks after this season!

Spot on with all of this!

I'm hoping that carolinaoriole is correct and this is just a ruse. Somehow, I suspect it's not.

[Sports Guy]

MacPhail overvaluing relief pitching as usual.

It's not like Johnson's going to be cheap either.

Not to mention they've abused him this year, so the chances of him being injured later this year or if not ineffective next year are high.

This is when you sell a guy like this. Putting him in the starting rotation is desperation and taking a strength and rendering it moot.

JJ isn't going to dial it up into the mid-high 90s with movement as a starter.

God I hope MacPhail walks after this season!

Excellent post JTrea.

It is a perfect time to deal him and insteaqd of doing that, the Orioles are thinking about giving him a larger role, which he wasn't all that good at before...7 years ago!

[Remember The Alomar]

This is the man that gave two year deals to both Michael Gonzalez and Kevin Gregg.

[Scrat1]

http://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2011/07/reds-looking-for-relief-help-.html

We match up so well with the Reds that it seems almost criminal not to get something worked out.

Guthrie, Hardy, Johnson for Wood, Alonso, Cozart.

I mean come on!

[ShaneDawg85]

This is the man that gave two year deals to both Michael Gonzalez and Kevin Gregg.

This is the same organization that gave three year contracts to Jamie Walker, Chad Bradford, and Danyz Baez. Stupid reliever signings didn't start with MacPhail, and they surely won't end with him either.

[Say O!]

Dealing Johnson now is unlikely to yield a high prospect return...there are simply too many relief pitchers available, the supply exceeds the demand. Those calling around likely want him for the cheap.

The O's have had better success moving relief pitching in the offseason for players out of favor with their current organization, see: Reynolds, Hardy.

I'm not going to get too upset about it.

[TGO]

This is the same organization that gave three year contracts to Jamie Walker, Chad Bradford, and Danyz Baez. Stupid reliever signings didn't start with MacPhail, and they surely won't end with him either.

Don't forget Steve Kline, Norm Charlton, Mike DeJean (at least the last two were 1-yr deals, I think), trading Bautista for Grimsley, not trading Ryan, not trading Julio at his peak, not trading Rhodes, trading Orosco for another reliever (Chuck McElroy, which was just bizarre). The list just goes on.

[ShaneDawg85]

Don't forget Steve Kline, Norm Charlton, Mike DeJean (at least the last two were 1-yr deals, I think), trading Bautista for Grimsley, not trading Ryan, not trading Julio at his peak, not trading Rhodes, trading Orosco for another reliever (Chuck McElroy, which was just bizarre). The list just goes on.

Not to get off topic, but near the top of my list for worst Oriole reliever ever.

[Skeletor]

I don't know. If this organization goes through this trade deadline without making an effort to make the organization better, I am going to be seriously pissed. Do they need more evidence that changes need to be made?

[McNulty]

Idiots. Nothing more to say than that.

[El Gordo]

I think if Hardy is extended, the handwriting is on the wall. We don't trade anyone at the deadline and move Vlad, DLee, and Gozo, Aug.31

[LookitsPuck]

Wow, we should at the very least be LISTENING to any offers for ANYONE.