Billy Beane usually does a pretty good job of player acquisition but Johnson didn't pan out well huge loos for Oakland money wise. I can't remember what the issues were between Baltimore and Johnson. In the case of Morales I'd say Seattle brought him back because Smoak was sent back to the minors.
...I think Jim Johnson's problem with the O's was contract related...he wanted more than they were willing to spend...as far as Morales, even without Smoak, they still have Morrison and Bloomquist who both play 1B...and btw, I wouldn't mind seeing Bloomquist in pinstripes...he's a good all around utility player...a helluva lot better than Kelly Johnson who has been a disappointment.
Its really weird the way that whole Morales thing played out. I mean him ending up right back where he started last year only for about $7M less. As far as his #s so far, you have to remember these last few weeks have basically been his spring training.