Could Orioles trade Jim Johnson for Porcello?

[srock]

At the moment, Porcello is probably the best fifth starter in baseball

I'll happily put Porcello in the rotation, but why trade JJ? If we want to sacrifice closer for starting pitching, just move JJ to starting pitcher!

[Brendan25]

Trade Ayala + a low level prospect for Porcello. Not JJ.

[clapdiddy]

Trade Ayala + a low level prospect for Porcello. Not JJ.

So, we just won't trade for Porcello...because that offer isn't going to get it done.

[zero1]

Anytime you can trade a reliever for a legit starter you have to do it. Porcello, with a good defense behind him, could be a legit #2/#3 starter.

[Frobby]

Trade Ayala + a low level prospect for Porcello. Not JJ.

Let's be realistic. Porcello's not being traded for that.

[Brendan25]

Let's be realistic. Porcello's not being traded for that.

Why is Porcello so highly regarded? Am I missing something?

[Can_of_corn]

Why is Porcello so highly regarded? Am I missing something?

Ground ball pitcher, made it to the majors at 20, eats a fair number of innings. No one is saying he is an Ace, but he is a viable MLB pitcher that might be had for a reliever.

[Brendan25]

Ground ball pitcher, made it to the majors at 20, eats a fair number of innings. No one is saying he is an Ace, but he is a viable MLB pitcher that might be had for a reliever.

WHIP has gone up every season.

[Can_of_corn]

WHIP has gone up every season.

Infield defense behind him has gone down every season.

[fearthenoodle]

The "just move JJ to the rotation if you like that trade" argument is short-sighted. Beyond the fact that it's now been 5 or 6 years since he's thrown even 100 innings in a season and the fact that it would not be a transition that he could make overnight, there is the fact that he's 5 years older, under team control for fewer seasons, and considerably more expensive over the next 2 seasons than Porcello.

[Art Wing]

Pedro Strop and Luis Ayala are internal candidates to close.

I would injure myself if Ayala becomes our closer under any circumstances.

As far as the OP, for all of the reasons already listed this would be a bad deal for us.

[fearthenoodle]

Just a couple numbers to throw out about why people see a lot of potential in Porcello.

52.3% GB% for his career (53.2% in 2012). That # is very high, and potentially a great sign for a pitcher.

Rick Porcello BABIP 2012: .344

Detroit Pitching staff BABIP 2012: .310

Baltimore Pitching staff BABIP 2012: .287

[Brendan25]

I would injure myself if Ayala becomes our closer under any circumstances.

As far as the OP, for all of the reasons already listed this would be a bad deal for us.

I bet he'd do fine as closer.

[clapdiddy]

Just a couple numbers to throw out about why people see a lot of potential in Porcello.

52.3% GB% for his career (53.2% in 2012). That # is very high, and potentially a great sign for a pitcher.

Rick Porcello BABIP 2012: .344

Detroit Pitching staff BABIP 2012: .310

Baltimore Pitching staff BABIP 2012: .287

This...big time. An infield with Hardy, Machado, and Casilla would provide range and sure-handedness for a pitcher like Porcello.

[DrungoHazewood]

I'll pass on trading the best closer in baseball in his prime.

Wow, that's a pretty strong statement about a guy who was pretty obviously not the best closer in baseball in 2012.

At the moment, Porcello is probably the best fifth starter in baseball?

That's wonderful. If he was any better he might even be a 4th starter. It's hard to say someone is the best at something when that something is defined as "not good enough to move to the next level."