masn-baseballs-orioles.jpgForget the notion that the Orioles will reunite with former closer Jim Johnson. He’s off the board.
The Braves announced today that they signed Johnson to a major league deal, the transaction coming a year and one day after the Orioles traded him to the Athletics at the deadline to tender contracts to arbitration-eligible players.
Johnson is joining his third organization since that deal. He posted a 7.14 ERA and 2.058 WHIP in 38 appearances with the A’s and a 6.92 ERA and 1.615 WHIP in 16…

Forget the notion that the Orioles will reunite with former closer Jim Johnson. He’s off the board.

The Braves announced today that they signed Johnson to a major league deal, the transaction coming a year and one day after the Orioles traded him to the Athletics at the deadline to tender contracts to arbitration-eligible players.

johnson-jim-white-sidebar-pitch.jpgJohnson is joining his third organization since that deal. He posted a 7.14 ERA and 2.058 WHIP in 38 appearances with the A’s and a 6.92 ERA and 1.615 WHIP in 16 appearances with the Tigers, who left him off their Division Series roster.

According to multiple reports, Johnson’s deal is worth $1.6 million guaranteed and includes a possible $900,000 in performance bonuses. He made $10 million in 2014.

Johnson’s combined 1.950 WHIP in 53 1/3 innings is the highest for a full-time reliever in the 2000s (minimum 50 innings), according to ESPN’s Jayson Stark.

Johnson saved 101 games for the Orioles over two seasons before the trade, which netted infielder Jemile Weeks and catcher David Freitas. They didn’t want to risk paying him $10 million in arbitration and dumped his salary.

Fans suggesting that the Braves must be trying to lose need to remember that the club has four-time All-Star closer Craig Kimbrel. He’s not stepping aside for Johnson.

The Orioles had some interest in signing Johnson to a minor league deal, but he found a better offer.

I tweeted the news this afternoon and threw some fans into a panic. They feared that the Braves had signed Nick Markakis.

Trust me, Markakis isn’t signing with anyone today. And I seriously doubt that a team would be the first to break the news.

Tweet of the day so far goes to Lynn Henning of The Detroit News:

“Braves and Braves media can now enjoy the splendor of Jim Johnson’s cordiality and personal grace.”