Jayson Stark: Marlins Expected to Keep Josh Johnson

[emkayseven]

Jodh Johnson is as good as gone

Who knows about Josh Johnson though

[Big Z]

IF Fish are going to trade JJ, look for the deal to happen before this weekend. Boston in desperate need for SP and TX just lost Colby Lewis for the yr. Most likely a battle between those two.

Marlins are in driver's seat and can ask for what they want. If neither team meets the Marlins expectations, then look for JJ to stay put. Bad thing is many scouts are not seeing JJ as #1 anymore, but feeling is he'll be back.

[Swifty]

This is irrational, especially as a Marlins fan, but I really think if Hanley and/or JJ is dealt, I'd really have a hard time being a fan of this team going forward.

One, moving either now makes little baseball sense, and the whole purpose of the new stadium was to make every decision a baseball decision, not a business one. Two, you can't tell me that the money freed up from either of them is so significant as to drastically change the direction of the franchise. Hanley has $31 million total left to him (plus the $7 or so left this year) JJ has $13.75 owed to him next year.

[Erick]

This is irrational, especially as a Marlins fan, but I really think if Hanley and/or JJ is dealt, I'd really have a hard time being a fan of this team going forward.

One, moving either now makes little baseball sense, and the whole purpose of the new stadium was to make every decision a baseball decision, not a business one.

It's not a good baseball decision if you get good value back?

[Namaste]

:mjpop

[Swifty]

It's not a good baseball decision if you get good value back?

No, it's not because it's doubtful we get significant value back for either guy, both are "down" with injury concerns. If Oakland is hovering, it tells you all you should know about what most execs view the "sale" price to be.

The other consideration is, if either were a free agent at the end of the year, what would they be looking at? In both, the total guaranteed money owed is significantly less than what they'd receive. In the case of Hanley, I'd argue that the annual-average-value probably isn't that far off.

JJ's a special situation because he's got 1 year left, but even then, he's probably going to get around the $13.75 mil he's got coming to him.

So, no, I just don't it.

[Big Z]

Depends on what you get. If you're able to get a package including Olt in a deal for JJ, it's tough to say no. You then trade Hanley & Nolasco elsewhere and make Olt the starting 3rd baseman.

Target's to keep in mind for Hanley: Red Sox, D-Backs, A's, among others.

[lilchris11]

Alden Gonzalez of MLB.com adds that Angels pro scouting director Hal Morris was also present for Johnson's start tonight (Twitter link). Johnson fired a gem, allowing just one hit and striking out nine hitters in six innings.

peter bourjous??

[Anonymous]

@Swift

But what If we do for JJ? What if a team gives us very good value for him considering he's been very good lately?

[MiamiHomer]

peter bourjous??

That would be terrible.

[Erick]

Assuming Hamels/Grienke get extensions, JJ is the best pitcher available on the market. I doubt his value is low right now, considering he's been pitching better and the peripherals. Teams willing to take a chance and win a World Series would probably bite and give up plenty. Every contending team could use a Josh Johnson in their rotation.

[lilchris11]

just saying he could be included in the package

[Swifty]

@Swift

But what If we do for JJ? What if a team gives us very good value for him considering he's been very good lately?

And what if we don't. This Detroit trade is really phenomenal for short term plugs. Hope that one of Brantly/Turner makes the "leap" and the other is a decent ML starter, hope that Fernandez continues progressing and that Yelich can stay in center. That's not a whole hell of a lot to ask for, honestly. That plan, along with this group, is probably a more sound direction to contention than the "blow it up" plan.

[Anonymous]

And what if we don't. This Detroit trade is really phenomenal for short term plugs. Hope that one of Brantly/Turner makes the "leap" and the other is a decent ML starter, hope that Fernandez continues progressing and that Yelich can stay in center. That's not a whole hell of a lot to ask for, honestly. That plan, along with this group, is probably a more sound direction to contention than the "blow it up" plan.

If we don't, we keep him. That's pretty obvious.

If a team offers great value for him, you wouldn't do it? Like a package centered around Mike Olt?

[Valid]

I agree with Swift.

Moving Johnson just because we're having a bad year would be stupid and would essentially defeat the entire purpose of the "new" Marlins. I thought the firesales were over and that we were supposed to be a legitimate organization now?

I mean, if they can get a GREAT package, fine. No one is ever untouchable. I just think if we're scrambling to get rid of him, it's really, really stupid.