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Are we about to lose Steve Johnson?

Aglets

By Aglets
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weams Hangout Grand Counsel

weams

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Posted
Yeah. I'm sympathetic to all of this, I really am. But the problems w/ these situations on the board occur when folks pit the player against the organization. The "experts" line, the "pitching rich" Giants, the references to the Orioles losing ways...that's not well-directed to curry favor.

I've been something of a Johnson-doubter over the last couple years, I confess. But I'm definitely not rooting against him. As soon as he's able to provide MLB value, I hope he gets the opportunity.

You would really be surprised at how much of the "poor me" talk occurs with anyone who has not been given the chance to fail at the major league level. It is not just with the Orioles either. The Giants took a look at Steve in a situation where they thought he might be useful out of the pen instead of spending money. They decided that he was not a fit for them. He could have been chosen again as a Rule 5 guy and was not. Dave and Steve seem excited about the change of his arsenal with the addition of the swing and miss split finger pitch. I hope they are right and Steve forces the issue on the field and that he becomes an Oriole major leaguer. If not, I still wish him well. He was always nice to chat with. Easy to root for.

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Lucky Jim Hangout Grand Counsel

Lucky Jim

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You would really be surprised at how much of the "poor me" talk occurs with anyone who has not been given the chance to fail at the major league level. It is not just with the Orioles either. The Giants took a look at Steve in a situation where they thought he might be useful out of the pen instead of spending money. They decided that he was not a fit for them. He could have been chosen again as a Rule 5 guy and was not. Dave and Steve seem excited about the change of his arsenal with the addition of the swing and miss split finger pitch. I hope they are right and Steve forces the issue on the field and that he becomes an Oriole major leaguer. If not, I still wish him well. He was always nice to chat with. Easy to root for.

I haven't gotten to watch him, but the addition of a split-finger would be a big deal, if he can command it (and it does what a splitter should do).

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