Jayson Stark: Marlins Expected to Keep Josh Johnson

[MiamiHomer]

Jerry Crasnick @jcrasnick
Johnson would prefer to be near his home in Oklahoma or his wife Heidi's home in Orange County, Cal., source says. #Marlins

Not sure this has any barring on where he will go but maybe Texas and LA will feel better that they could sign him after next season knowing this.

[Jorge18]

Fire sale when you don't get rid of your most expensive players?? Man, the Marlins are terrible at everything!!

[Big Z]

Not sure this has any barring on where he will go but maybe Texas and LA will feel better that they could sign him after next season knowing this.

TX is as close as it gets to Oklahoma. I would hate to lose JJ, but would love to see the Rangers and JJ win a WS.

It's hurt to see the Rangers make it so far the past 2 years, just to fall in the end.

JJ is a great pitcher, but let's be honest. We are not competing this year and who knows about next year. JJ becomes a FA after 2013 and will probably test the market and end up elsewhere. I think if you get a good deal for him, you deal him now and build for the future (Olt + SP, etc.). I guess all we can do is hope for the best, everything else is out of our control.

[lou]

TX is as close as it gets to Oklahoma. I would hate to lose JJ, but would love to see the Rangers and JJ win a WS.

It's hurt to see the Rangers make it so far the past 2 years, just to fall in the end.

JJ is a great pitcher, but let's be honest. We are not competing this year and who knows about next year. JJ becomes a FA after 2013 and will probably test the market and end up elsewhere. I think if you get a good deal for him, you deal him now and build for the future (Olt + SP, etc.). I guess all we can do is hope for the best, everything else is out of our control.

If you get the Sizemore, B. Phillips, C. Lee package for Bartolo Colon, do it.

If you get Olt and Dominguez and Rasmussen types, no. JJ still fills a big hole on 2013, they can afford it, and he is always tradeable for at deadline 2013.

[MiamiHomer]

Jon Morosi @jonmorosi
Source says #BlueJays still pursuing Josh Johnson, undeterred by series loss to #Athletics. #Marlins @MLBONFOX

Discussions have to start and end with D'Arnaud.

[Namaste]

I'll preface this by saying I have been a HUGH fan of the deadline moves so far

With that said, I think it takes 1.5/2 years before baseball in SoFla recovers from JJ getting traded after this weeks moves

[Bobbob1313]

I think it takes 1.5/2 years before baseball in SoFla recovers from JJ getting traded after this weeks moves

I think it takes as long as it takes to start winning games, to be perfectly honest.

[Miamarlin21]

MH then what was the point of getting Brantly?

[Mainge]

MH then what was the point of getting Brantly?

Brantly isn't going to be a starter in all likelihood. He shouldn't prevent us from acquiring a legitimate starting catcher.

[Miamarlin21]

I agree, but still.

[Mainge]

Still what?

[Namaste]

Still feels your loving arms around him?

[Miamarlin21]

I dunno.

[Namaste]

I dunno.

He didn't rule it out!

xxxoooo

[lou]

d'Arnaud is great, but they really have to get a young 2B/3B.

Free Agency 2014

Catchers

John Buck (33)
Jesus Flores (29)
Ryan Hanigan (33)
Ramon Hernandez (38)
Wil Nieves (36)
Brayan Pena (32)
Jarrod Saltalamacchia (29)
Geovany Soto (31)
Kurt Suzuki (30) - $8.5MM club option with a $650K buyout

That is a solid list. One of them could be paired with Brantly to ease him in, and Realmuto is in AAA at this point. d'Arnaud would certainly fill this long-term 'hole,' but there is free agency and system talent.
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It's a broken record over the last week, but if they are going to trade the "ace" spot on the team, they need to fix the biggest longterm issue. That would be 3B or CF, and considering the multitude of options in CF in free agency this year and thinking "it's easier to find an outfielder," it's 3B or bust.
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And looking at contenders farm systems, who has a guy ETA 2013, and who wants pitchers, Mike Olt package or bust