With Zack Greinke—the top prize on the market—heading to their AL West rivals, the Texas Rangers have turned their attention to Miami Marlins pitcher Josh Johnson (h/t Bob Nightengale, USA Today).
Unfortunately, the Marlins are clearly delusional about Johnson’s value. According to Jerry Crasnick of ESPN.com, the Marlins’ asking price for the 28-year-old right-hander is ridiculously high.
Sources say the #Marlins are asking for each team’s top 2 or 3 prospects in every trade scenario involving Josh Johnson.
— Jerry Crasnick (@jcrasnick) July 27, 2012
We’re talking Jurickson Profar-Travis D’Arnaud types just to get talks moving, then a lot more beyond that. #marlins
— Jerry Crasnick (@jcrasnick) July 27, 2012
Like I said, ridiculously high. Although the Rangers need an ace, if their executives are smart (and I believe they are), they will promptly tell the Marlins front office to go clone themselves.
Johnson is a talented pitcher, but he’s certainly not worth that price, regardless of how desperate the Rangers may be feeling now.
Johnson is as injury-prone as they come, as he always seems to be battling some sort of health issue. He’s only started 30-plus games once in his seven-year career, and he’s pitched more than 150 innings just three times.
His production away from the friendly confines of Sun Life Stadium is also concerning. Johnson has a 3.35 ERA at home this season, but his road ERA is a paltry 5.48—not exactly ace material.
Sure, the Rangers’ pitching staff now pales in comparison to the Angels‘, but Texas still has the most feared lineup in baseball, a four-game lead in the AL West and, with prospects like Jurickson Profar in their farm system, a very bright future.
They can’t afford to sacrifice that in some ill-conceived attempt at matching the Angels’ move.
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