Johnson To Stay In Florida

As the MLB Winter Meetings progress it looks more and more likely that Josh Johnson will open the season with the Florida Marlins. The reason? The Marlins are reportedly turning down some pretty big trade offers.

Richard Durrett of ESPNDallas.com reports that the Texas Rangers made a monster offer to the Marlins today, only to be turned down. The deal would of sent Texas minor leaguers Neftali Feliz and Justin Smoak for Josh Johnson.

Feliz, a pitcher, and Smoak, a first baseman are easily two of Texas’ top prospects and arguably two of the better prospects in baseball. For the Marlins to turn down such a deal, you’d have to believe Marlins GM Michael Hill when he said Johnson will start the season in Florida.

Joe Frisaro of MLBlogs.com says that the Marlins are still holding out hope that they can sign Johnson to a contract extension. If I was one of the few Marlins fans I’d be hoping for this. With a new stadium on the way the team needs to keep Johnson and Hanley Ramirez in the fold, just to prove to the fans they’re committed to putting a winner on the field. If it happens who knows but that’s what I’d want to see as a fan.

For Rangers fans hearing this trade offer should be a blessing and a curse. The Rangers are committed to winning next season, something they haven’t done in a long time. They’re willing to go out and get some pieces that they may need to put them over the top in what looks to be a very competitive American League West next season. That’s all a good thing.

BUT, they’re also willing to sacrifice their future for a winning season. The future they’re willing to sacrifice are players that aren’t even that far off from being major producers for the big league club.

Feliz pitched 31 innings out of the bullpen striking out 39, with an ERA of 1.74. While Smoak batted .244 with 4 homers and 23 rbis in 197 AAA at-bats at the age of 22. Not impressive but remember he’s only 22 and did hit .328 with 6 homers and 29 rbis in AA as well last year. He’s also got a great eye which has led to a very high on base percentage.

These are two guys the fans have been high on so I’m not sure they’ll want to see them leave, even for Johnson. Rangers fans don’t win enough for their fans to want to see them take a gamble at winning one season.

Regardless its positive to see on both sides. Rangers want to win and the Marlins want to keep their top talent for a little longer. Both are good things for baseball.