Atlanta Braves
Atlanta Braves

Braves trade Jim Johnson to Angels for minor league left-hander

The Braves traded veteran reliever Jim Johnson to the Angels for a minor league left-hander on Thursday, dumping the $5 million that Johnson was owed in the final year of a two-year, $10 million contract. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)

Credit: Michael Cunningham

Credit: Michael Cunningham

The Braves traded veteran reliever Jim Johnson to the Angels for a minor league left-hander on Thursday, dumping the $5 million that Johnson was owed in the final year of a two-year, $10 million contract. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)
By David O Brien
Nov 30, 2017

The Braves dumped a burdensome contract Thursday by trading veteran right-handed reliever Jim Johnson to the Angels on Thursday in exchange for minor league lefty Justin Kelly.

Johnson, 34, lost the closer job last summer and was owed $5 million in 2018 in the second year of a two-year, $10 million contract. He blew nine of 31 save opportunities last season and had a 5.56 ERA in 61 appearances.

Kelly, 24, was 6-4 with a 3.543 ERA in 25 games (six starts) at five levels for the Angels last season. He was a 33rd-round draft pick out of the University of Californa-Santa Barbara in 2016.

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