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It’s been a huge controversy among the Oakland fan’s and a tough decision for A’s manager Bob Melvin, being that it is still so early in the season but Jim Johnson, acquired from the Orioles in exchange for Jemile Weeks and David Freitas, has been demoted from his original position as the Oakland Athletics’ closer.
This come as no surprise to many, as Johnson has blown three saves already and barely, just barley got the only one he has on his resume this season. He’s been terrible to say the least and it is good for him to be demoted. He can work out his command issues in low pressure situations as opposed to when the game is literally on the line. Many A’s fans were hoping to see A’s set-up man Sean Doolittle be named closer in Johnson’s stead but according to the San Francisco Chronicle’s Susan Slusser,
Melvin says #Athletics need to get Johnson straightened out. Will close by committee in meantime.
— Susan Slusser (@susanslusser) April 10, 2014
So Melvin has not decided on a specific replacement for Johnson and will use a combination of guys like Ryan Cook, Doolittle and Luke Gregerson for the time being.
It is important to note that former A’s closer Grant Balfour went back and forth from being closer and long reliever/set-up man many times before becoming an All-Star in 2013. There is every chance that Johnson can turn things around but his command must be dealt with before he is used to close a game anytime in the future.
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