MLB Rumors: Rangers Reportedly Pursuing Trade for Marlins SP Josh Johnson

For all the problems the Texas Rangers have had with their starting rotation this season, they are still 57-39 and lead the American League West by five games. They do need help—no one is denying that—and the Miami Marlins could present it in the form of Josh Johnson. 

According to Bob Nightengale of USA Today, the Rangers are looking at Johnson with just six days before the non-waiver trade deadline:

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The Marlins also have starter Josh Johnson on the trade block, and the Texas Rangers are one of the teams actively pursuing him, a Marlins executive told USA TODAY Sports, with the Rangers informing the Marlins they would be willing to part with third-base prospect Mike Olt.

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Olt has been the hot prospect on the trading block this season. Whenever the Rangers are mentioned in a potential deal, his name is the first one that gets mentioned. He has big power and has greatly improved his defense at third base. 

If Olt is the prospect the Marlins have on their radar, it makes the trade of Hanley Ramirez to the Dodgers even more logical. 

Johnson has had an inconsistent season with the Marlins. He started out slow, posting an ERA of 5.34 in April and 4.41 in May, but he rebounded in June with a 1.87 ERA and 33 strikeouts in 33.2 innings pitched. He has struggled in four July starts, but the stuff is still good, he is healthy and his .338 BABIP suggests he is not being helped by a poor Miami defense. 

The Rangers boast one of the best defenses in all of baseball, particularly on the left side of the infield with Elvis Andrus and Adrian Beltre. 

Adding Johnson, while it would not solve all of their rotation problems, would stabilize the top of the Rangers' pitching staff. 

Plus, the Rangers would have the added assurance of knowing that Johnson is signed through 2013. So this would not be just a rental player, which Cliff Lee was when he was acquired in 2010. 

As long as Johnson is healthy, which has rarely been the case, he has the stuff to be one of the 10 best pitchers in baseball. That is certainly a risk worth taking for the Rangers, who have World Series aspirations and a deep farm system they can afford to dip into for a big deal at the deadline. 

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