Cleveland Indians: Jason Johnson Designated for Assignment

In a long overdue move, the Cleveland Indians designated Jason Johnson for assignment, giving them 10 days to trade or release the lackluster starting pitcher. Johnson was signed to a 1 year $3.5 million deal at the beginning of the year as the Indians tried to make up for the loss of starters Kevin Millwood and Scott Elarton. It appears that highly touted prospect Jeremy Sowers will take Johnson's place in the rotation.

The signing of Johnson didn't make much sense to many Indians fans, yours included, from the very beginning. Johnson had been no more than mediocre during his stints in Detroit and Baltimore. Also, as the Indians traded Coco Crisp in a deal that appeared to increase their chances of competing in '07, it only made sense to give a young starter like Sowers, Fausto Carmona, or Jeremy Guthrie a chance. Mark Shapiro missed the boat on this one... In hindsight that $3.5 million would have been better served as an investment in the bullpen, which has experienced trouble holding leads this season.

In other news, Jeremy Guthrie was optioned to AAA. Here's hoping the Indians put him back in the rotation where he belongs. Guthrie has much more value as a future starter than a quick fix in the bullpen for the sinking ship that is becoming this season.