Red Sox Acquire Relief Pitcher Johnson from Indians

Didn't realize that Boston was so deseperate for bullpen help.

Is this what they've sunk to in Beantown?

The Red Sox are bringing Johnson in as a starter, not a reliever. With Clement and Wells on the DL and the recently-acquired Kyle Snyder optioned to Pawtucket, the Sawx were woefully short on arms. The Red Sox may have themselves a bit of a steal. Johnson has posted the most extreme ground ball/fly ball ratio of his career this season and the Tribe infield defense has been atrocious. Having Alex Gonzalez and Mike Lowell behind him may do wonders for Johnson. Even so, I wouldn't expect big things from him in August or September - despite his reputation as a durable innings-eater, Johnson's numbers always seem to fade late in the season.

He's not a steal - he's a really bad starting pitcher that is not going to help the rotation in any other than pitching innings that others will now be able to rest. As soon as health returns to the rotation in Boston, Johnson is out.

Yes, a major part of Johnson's problems has been infield hits, something that became accentuated by Cleveland's terrible defense. WIth the Sox having much better defense, he should do better. And yes, he is a steal, and yes, he's certainly not going to be in the rotation long-term - both of those can be true. Being unable to understand that shows a simplistic understanding of pitching and how it works.

It's a good move. It doesn't hurt the Sox at all to take a chance with this guy. There are going to be some teams giving up real value for players who aren't much better than Johnson come July 31st. The Sox didn't have to give up anything.