Josh Johnson left his start early tonight with a blister on his right middle finger. Johnson pitched six scoreless innings, allowing just one hit and struck out nine. For those scouts in attendance, reportedly Rangers scouts and Red Sox scouts, Johnson sent a signal, a sign if you will, that he is healthy and can be dominant.
Entering tonight, the Marlins are 11 1/2 games back of Washington and in fourth place in the National League East.
Earlier in the day the Miami Marlins also flashed a sign of their own.
The Marlins are officially sellers in this years trade market, and Johnson could be the next player to be traded away from the Marlins.
Johnson has started 19 games for the Marlins and has a 5-7 record with a 4.35 ERA and 1.40 WHIP.
While those numbers are not as impressive as his career numbers ( ERA 3.16) that hasn’t stopped teams from inquiring as to his availability.
Both the Red Sox and Rangers are in need of pitching, and Johnson is under team control until the end of the 2013 season, at $13.75 million. At 28 years old Johnson should be added into the prime of his career.
Until today, Johnson had been flying under the trade radar. That will no longer be the case. Expect the Red Sox to come hard after Johnson as will the Rangers.
