RSS
Teams Shying Away from Marlins Pitcher Josh Johnson
Fitzgerald Cecilio
Miami, FL
Teams are shying away from trading for Miami starting pitcher Josh Johnson because of the steep demands being asked by the Marlins in return for the All-Star right-hander.
The Marlins are reportedly asking for a team's top two or three prospects in every trade scenario involving Johnson.
"They're asking for a ton," an American League general manager said, doubting if the Marlins will find a new destination for Johnson before the July 31 non-waiver trade deadline.
Due to lack of interested teams, a baseball official who requested anonymity told espn.com that Johnson's chances of staying in Miami are "95 percent".
Another Major League source said steep demand forced several teams to change their mind about dealing with the Marlins, despite their need for pitching depth. Reportedly, the Rangers, Blue Jays, Orioles, Angels, Braves and Red Sox are interested in dealing for Johnson.
Several baseball officials said the Marlins are focusing on elite prospects like Jurickson Profar, Mike Olt and Martin Perez of Texas; Dylan Bundy and Manny Machado of Baltimore; and Travis D'Arnaud and Anthony Gose of Toronto.
Johnson is one of the best pitchers available after Cole Hamels signed a fresh contract with the Philadelphia Phillies while Matt Garza of the Chicago Cubs is out because of health concerns.
Johnson is under contract for $13.75 million in 2013 and won't hit the free-agent market until after next season.
The Marlins are a disappointment this season, 14 games out of first place in the NL East
They traded second baseman Omar Infante and pitcher Anibal Sanchez to Detroit earlier this week for pitcher Jacob Turner and two minor leaguers, and shipped Hanley Ramirez and Randy Choate to the Dodgers in exchange for pitcher Nathan Eovaldi and a minor leaguer.
Ramirez, Infante, Sanchez and Choate are making a combined $28.5 million this year, so the two deals took a major chunk out of the Marlins' $111 million opening day payroll. The Marlins also removed the additional $31.5 million owed to Ramirez in the 2013-2014 seasons.
- Teams Shying Away from Marlins Pitcher Josh Johnson
- White Sox acquire pitcher Francisco Liriano from Twins
- Matt Harvey Amazin Met in MLB Debut
- Rodriguez to Miss Six to Eight Weeks with Fractured Left Hands
- Hanley Ramirez Blindsided by Trade to Dodgers
- Marlins Trade Infante and Sanchez To Tigers for Three Players
- Mariners Trade Ichiro Suzuki to Yankees
- Larkin and Santo Inducted to Cooperstown
- MLB Not Planning to Put Ad Patches on Uniforms
- Blue Jays Bolster Pitching Staff Via 10-Player Trade with Astros
- Mets Place Johan Santana on 15-Day DL with Ankle Sprain
- Giants Cabrera and Sandoval Power NL Past AL in All-Star Game
- Mets Put Right-Hander Gee on Disabled List Due to Blot Clot
- Tigers Slugger Prince Fielder Captures Home Run Derby Crown
- Justin Verlander and Matt Cain Picked as MLB All-Star Starters
- Padres Sold to Former Dodgers Owner for $800 Million
- Dusty Baker Blames LaRussa for All-Star Snub of Phillips and Cueto
- MLB Bans Outfielder Byrd 50 Games for Use of Performance Enhancers
- Red Sox Trade Kevin Youkilis to White Sox
- Orioles Release 49-year-old Pitcher Jamie Moyer
- Mets Knuckleballer R.A. Dickey Among MLB's Top Pitchers
- Best and Worst New MLB Uniforms
- Roger Clemens Not Guilty On All Counts
- Astros Make Shortstop Carlos Correa Top Pick in MLB Draft
- Johan Santana Tosses First No-Hitter in Mets History
- Barry Bonds Wants to Return to Giants Organization
- Pitching Stability and Slugging Power Key to Rangers Success
- Konerko Hits 400th Homer for White Sox
- Ex-Yankee Great Don Larsen to Auction Off Perfect Game Uniform
Copyright © 2012 AHN - All Rights Reserved