Texas Rangers: What It Would Take To Land Florida Marlins Ace Josh Johnson

The Texas Rangers entered play Sunday with a 2.5 game lead over the Seattle Mariners in the AL West and seem to be poised for another playoff run. Despite being riddled with injuries to stars Josh Hamilton and Nelson Cruz, as well as to key bullpen arms Darren O'Day and Neftali Feliz, the Rangers are the clear favorites win the division.

The pitching has carried the team but there are obvious holes.

The bullpen has been borderline awful and the thought of Derek Holland or Matt Harrison being the potential fourth starter in a playoff series does not provide much comfort. Alexi Ogando has been arguably the best pitcher in the league up to this point, but do you really want to put all your faith in a guy who has never been a starting pitcher before this year?

We saw last year that C.J. Wilson is a reliable No. 2 starter and Colby Lewis, when on his game, is right there with him. But that still leaves a glaring void of a lockdown No. 1 stud.

One name that jumps out is Josh Johnson. Yes, I will admit that this is a long shot as the Marlins have said they will not trade him, but just how much can they say no to? This guy has been one of the best pitchers over the past three years and is just what the Rangers need at the top of the rotation. He had an ERA of 2.30 last season and has struck out at least 180 batters the last two seasons.

The main thing that complicates this trade scenario is the Florida Marlins' future plans. Set to move into a new ballpark next year, which should generate some much needed income for the team, they are very timid about trading the most recognizable name on the team not named Hanley. And they should be.

But let's say they were willing to trade Johnson for the right price—what would it take?

The Zack Greinke trade would probably serve as the best basis for any potential Johnson trade. That trade had the Milwaukee Brewers shipping future Gold Glove shortstop Alcides Escobar, Lorenzo Cain, Jake Odorizzi and Jeremy Jeffress to Kansas City for Greinke, Yuniesky Betancourt and cash considerations.

The thing about Johnson? It would take more. Any team that trades for Johnson has control of him through the 2013 season which makes him just that much more appealing. There is no hoping and praying that he will sign to stay in Texas, he would for sure be coming back.

Martin Perez would be a must. No question about it, the Marlins would want the Rangers' top pitching prospect.

They would also be wanting at least one player ready to produce at the major league level. The player that stands out there is Chris Davis. His potential is great but he just has not lived up to that yet. Odds are he would be the starting third baseman for the Marlins where he would provide excellent defense and the potential for a future middle-of-the-order hitter.

Another player of interest would be Julio Borbon. He is not the center fielder of the future in Texas anymore as the Rangers have allocated alot of money for Cuban defector Leonys Martin. That's not to say though that he has no future as a quality center fielder. He has speed that could provide upwards of 30 steals a year and should hit for a decent average.

Also one of the Rangers' younger pitching prospects Robbie Erlin, Joe Wieland or Robbie Ross would be required. The Rangers would be very reluctant to include Erlin, who is considered the better of the three but obviously he would be requested. Wieland makes sense as he is dominating hitters in Myrtle Beach and leading the league in just about every statistical category.

The Marlins would insist on short stop prospct Jurickson Profar but I really doubt the Rangers would make a trade where their best hitting and pitching prospect both are dealt. If Profar was a must, the Rangers would not just walk away—they would run.

So the question comes down to would the Rangers offer or the Marlins accept a deal like this? Josh Johnson for Martin Perez, Chris Davis, Julio Borbon, and Joe Wieland.

The Marlins would be looking at a lineup highlighted by Hanley Ramirez, Mike Stanton, Logan Morrison, Gaby Sanchez, Chris Davis and Julio Borbon for years to come. That's one amazing lineup to build around. They are still left with good starters in Ricky Nolasco, Chris Volstad and Anibal Sanchez, plus Perez will be major league-ready toward the end of 2012.

The Rangers get their dominant starter for the next three years at a reasonable price while also making use of Davis and Borbon, who likely won't have a job next season in Texas. This is an ideal trade for the Rangers, of course, but at least it's something to mull over for the Marlins.