The Angels bolstered their bullpen depth by acquiring veteran right-hander Jim Johnson from the Braves on Thursday while also signaling their intention to make a serious run at Japanese two-way sensation Shohei Ohtani.
As part of the deal, Atlanta ceded the remaining $1.21 million of its international pool space to the Halos, giving the Angels $1.315 million to offer Ohtani, who is expected to be posted by his Japanese club, the Nippon-Ham Fighters, on Friday. The Angels also sent Minor League left-hander Justin Kelly to the Braves to complete the trade.
"This deal puts us in a stronger position in our pursuit of Shohei Ohtani," Angels general manager Billy Eppler said Thursday. "This money was acquired with an eye towards that."
Eppler said he believes the Angels' position in the American League could be an advantage in their recruitment of Ohtani, as they could offer him the chance to be their designated hitter on days when he's not pitching. While the Angels already have a primary DH in Albert Pujols, they are hopeful that a full offseason of conditioning will allow the 37-year-old Pujols to play more first base in 2018, which would give them more flexibility to accommodate Ohtani's desire to hit.
For now, the Angels are at least assured of having Johnson's services out of the bullpen next year. The 34-year-old logged a 5.56 ERA over 56 2/3 innings for Atlanta in 2017, but he blew nine of 31 save opportunities and lost the closer job in late July. A former All-Star reliever for the Orioles, Johnson posted consecutive 50-save seasons in 2012-13 and recorded a 3.06 ERA over 64 2/3 innings for the Braves in 2016. He is owed $4.5 million in 2018, the final year of the two-year, $10 million contract he signed with Atlanta last offseason.
