MLB Trade Rumors: Kelly Johnson To The Phillies??

With the news earlier today that Phillies second baseman was placed on the DL, and the possibility of surgery looming, I can see see the Phillies dealing for a second baseman.. The first name that came to mind was Diamondbacks second baseman Kelly Johnson.

Johnson got off to a fast start to the 2010 season by hitting .313-.404-.750 with 9 HRs and 18 RBIs. Since then, he has hit 4 HRs with 17 RBIs with just a .376 SLG. For the season, he is hitting .261-.365-.486 with 13 HRs, 35 RBIs, 47 runs scored and 6 SBs. He's a mini-Utley.

With the Diamondbacks looking to be sellers, and the recent return of Tony Abreu from the DL, Johnson could be expendable. So who would the Diamondbacks want in return for Johnson. Well, I think everyone knows they have an obvious need in the bullpen, and the Phils have AAA reliever Scott Mathieson closing at AAA Lehigh Valley. I assume the Dbacks will look for more than just Mathieson in return for Johnson, so the Phils could throw in one of their low-A outfielders Jiwan James or Anthony Gose.

Mathieson is 3-2 with 13 saves and a 2.41 ERA at AAA Lehigh Valley in 29 appearances. He has a 42-14 K/BB rate in 33.2 innings pitched. He's holding right-handed hitters to a .176 BA with a 27-5 K/BB rate.

Gose is hitting .275-.334-.415 with 4 HRs, 17 RBIs, and 26 SBs at High-A Clearwater, but he has been caught stealing an astounding 21 times. He stole 70+ bases at Low-A Lakewood in 2009.

James is hitting .251-.300-.362 with 3 HRs, 40 RBIs and 16 SBs at Low-A Lakewood. James just turned 21 in April.