MLB Trade Rumors: Josh Johnson for Justin Smoak and Neftali Perez??

by Ray Guilfoyle on Dec 9, 2009 11:00 AM EST in Baseball

I was surprised to read that the Texas Rangers offered their two best prospects, Justin Smoak and Neftali Perez for the Marlins ace pitcher Josh Johnson. I am not sure any other team could top that offer of prospects for 2 years of JJ.

Here is what ESPN's Keith Law had to say on the offer:

"As good as Johnson is, that seems like too much to offer given the remaining years of control and the fact that Smoak and Feliz are two of the top 10 prospects in the game and two players Texas' front office prizes very highly. Smoak is a switch-hitting first baseman with patience & power from both sides, and Feliz has already shown what he can do in relief with a chance that he can still start due to his easy velocity."

The Marlins are in a semi-rebuilding mode after dealing Jeremy Hermida, and on the verge of dealing second baseman Dan Uggla. I say semi-rebuilding because they are a young team that is about to get younger once prospects Logan Morrison and Michael Stanton make it to the big league club in the next year or so.

I can't see why they rejected the Rangers solid offer. Should they have pulled the trigger on that deal, they could feature a lineup in 2010-2011 as follows:

Logan Morrison-LF

Michael Stanton-RF

Justin Smoak-1B

This team would be tough to beat on paper come 2011. If the Marlins feel they can compete in 2010, then you have to keep Josh Johnson. But, come July 31st and they are 10 games out, they should re-kindle these talks.

Poll

Should the Marlins have pulled the trigger on the Rangers offer?

Uh Yeah!!!

184 votes

No, Johnson is an ace already, you can't deal him

48 votes

232 votes | Poll has closed

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Comments

I do that deal in a heartbeat If I were the Marlins

If the Rangers were to do that deal, I’m pretty sure they would call for Daniel’s head. Two of the best prospects in the game for Josh Johnson is not good enough and goes well against everything the Rangers have been building for in the past 3 years to get their system to where it is. A more realistic deal would be Martin Perez and another pitching prospect for Johnson for the Rangers to move on it.

"That's not a weird stat. Rickie is a run-scorer," Yost said. "It doesn't matter. It doesn't matter," Yost told reporters. "See, you guys have no concept. He's a run-scorer. So there's nothing weird about it. That's what he does."

by Hyatt on Dec 9, 2009 11:13 AM EST reply actions

This is the kind of trade that keeps the Marlins in contention every year

Some days you live some days you die and some days you just want to create a redwing just to kill it......

by Go_Blues on Dec 9, 2009 4:55 PM EST reply actions

I’m shocked that the Marlins wouldn’t do this trade considering their financial flexibility is very limited and chances of them extending Johnson are extremely thin.

Remember that Miguel Cabrera trade? Look how well it’s worked for Florida. Guess upper management there isn’t as good as advertised.

by Ian, yo on Dec 9, 2009 7:43 PM EST via mobile reply actions