I keep reading little bits and pieces about Johnson being a good candidate for a closer, but still always thought he'd be more valuable in the rotation. However with the logjam we have currently at starter, it sounds like he might get some opportunities in the late innings. At least Josh is upbeat about the options.

 

Johnson saves: Nothing is official until rosters are set this weekend, but Josh Johnson pretty much has made the team. A starter throughout his Minor League career, the 6-foot-7, 240-pounder is being slotted as a reliever.

 

On Wednesday, Johnson got a feel for what closing is like when he logged a two-inning save. In the ninth inning, the right-hander allowed a run on Albert Pujols' RBI single. But with two outs and the bases loaded, he struck out Hector Luna on a 2-2 slider to end the game.

 

"It's different, but it's fun," said Johnson of closing. "For now, I'm in the bullpen."

 

Girardi has yet to settle on a closer, although Joe Borowski has the best shot of holding the role, at least early. The team is seeing what Johnson can do in relief. If he performs well, he could find himself as a closer option down the line.

 

Polishing off the ninth inning is a new experience for the Oklahoma native.

 

"It feels good. I've never been able to do that," Johnson said. "I've never thrown a complete game and gotten the final out. It's fun. I like it."

 

Girardi was impressed with how Johnson responded in a tense situation.

 

"He threw a great pitch," said Girardi of the slider that got Luna. "He kept his composure. He had some tough outs he had to get, and he got them."

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It would be very intresting if from some reason Borowski can't get the job done....

yeah it actually would, but i would still like johnson to start more

I'd rather have him bump Mitre or Moehler from the rotation.

I doubt Johnson will close. Resop, Wellemeyer, JoeBo can all close. Johnson is a starter, no need to waste him as a closer.

As far as Vargas, Olsen and Moehler, they're history is going about 5-6 innings. You absolutely need to have someone reliable to pitch the sixth, seventh and eighth innings. It's not enough to just have a reliable closer... This will be Johnson's role I reckon- a "tag team" approach to starting pitching, I guess.

It would be very intresting if from some reason Borowski can't get the job done....

 

 

Well said, I agree! :thumbup

I just hope he gets a chance to show what he can do starting in the bigs ? besides his one start last season ? before they try coverting him to a closer. I think he deserves at least that after the starting performances he has put in this ST.