Source: Blue Jays aren't interested in trading Josh Johnson

[Angrioter]

Blue Jays insist they aren't interested in trading pitcher Josh Johnson

 

Though the Toronto Blue Jays sit deep in the cellar of the American League East, they continue to tell teams they have no interest in trading Josh Johnson, two executives told Yahoo! Sports.

 

Blue Jays pitcher Josh Johnson (AP Photo)

While some believe the Blue Jays simply are trying to drive up Johnson’s price, others can see the rationale in general manager Alex Anthopoulos’ steadfast stance on keeping Johnson despite an 11½-game deficit in the East and an 8½-game hole behind four teams in the wild-card race.

After giving up a significant haul to acquire the 29-year-old Johnson and four others in a salary-dump deal with the Miami Marlins, the Blue Jays want to extract as much value as possible from the pending free agent. Johnson allowed seven runs in his last start, the third time in four outings he yielded five or more runs, and he is 1-5 with a 5.16 ERA.

 

With his trade value limited and his two starts before the July 31 trade deadline unlikely to change it, one AL general manager said the Blue Jays have considered holding onto Johnson and offering him a free-agent compensation tender this offseason. If Johnson accepts it, he would receive a one-year deal for around $15 million, a hefty sum for a pitcher who has struggled but has a significant ceiling.

 

Considering the thin free-agent pitching class, Johnson could opt to test the market, though a strong multiyear offer is unlikely because of his history of arm trouble as well as the potential draft-pick loss if the Blue Jays do tender him.

 

Johnson is in the final year of a four-year, $39 million contract. Following a nearly $40 million increase in payroll, the Blue Jays went into the All-Star break at 45-49.

 

http://sports.yahoo.com/news/blue-jays-insist-they-aren-t-interested-in-trading-pitcher-josh-johnson-150741133.html?utm_source=twitterfeed&utm_medium=twitter

[Angrioter]

I don't see any point in trading him to be honest. You aren't likely to get much of a return. And a good chance you can get him signed cheaper then normal.

 

Right now

 

Garza +10

JJ +2

[Captain Adama]

I can understand not trading him on the grounds that he won't land anything. But not trading him on the thought of the sunk-cost fallacy is completely idiotic and delusional.

[Nox]

But not trading him on the thought of the sunk-cost fallacy is completely idiotic and delusional.

 

Yah, if this is the logic, it truly is nuts. Would definitely not shock me though.

[sachmo55]

I find it very unlikely that we couldn't get a return more valuable than a pick in the 25-35 range of the draft.

 

This.

 

I don't think it would be that hard to sell Johnson as a still good pitcher who just needs a change of scenery kind of guy

[DustyBaker]

Any one think its possible we sign JJ to a 1-year deal worth sizable money? I'm not sure what the market would be like for him, but it gives him the opportunity to have a bounce back year to parlay into a multi-year big money contract, and it gives us a good starter to try and make the playoffs while allowing the prospects to develop. Considering our window of opportunity is essentially next year, it could be worthwhile for both sides.... then again, in a thin FA for pitchers, he may get the contract he wants regardless.

[Abomination]

Any one think its possible we sign JJ to a 1-year deal worth sizable money? I'm not sure what the market would be like for him, but it gives him the opportunity to have a bounce back year to parlay into a multi-year big money contract, and it gives us a good starter to try and make the playoffs while allowing the prospects to develop. Considering our window of opportunity is essentially next year, it could be worthwhile for both sides.... then again, in a thin FA for pitchers, he may get the contract he wants regardless.

 

Really no reason to sign him to a 1 year, at least right now. If he accepts the qualifying offer, it's 1 year anyway and if he rejects it, we could explore it then if we chose. I actually think we'll try to sign him for 3 years or so, assuming he's open to staying.

[Chappy]

Unless AA is hoping to keep JJ and then try to entice him to sign a new deal in the winter. As it is, its unlikely he gets the type of contract he thought he would before the season started. Perhaps AA sees an opportunity to keep JJ in the fold long term rather than going the FA or trade route?

[DustyBaker]

Really no reason to sign him to a 1 year, at least right now. If he accepts the qualifying offer, it's 1 year anyway and if he rejects it, we could explore it then if we chose. I actually think we'll try to sign him for 3 years or so, assuming he's open to staying.

 

Good point, I didnt consider well have a qualifying offer. My rationale to the one year was that he wouldnt be interested in a 3 year deal, as he will coming off that contract at an awkward age. I figure hes either going to go big, or go small and hope to get the big one next year.

[G-Snarls]

I find it very unlikely that we couldn't get a return more valuable than a pick in the 25-35 range of the draft.

 

Exactly

 

The pick depends on who signs him when he rejects our QO, but you should be able to get a nice prospect for him now from any of 4-5 teams desperate for SP.

 

And a trade now helps him in free agency by removing the compensation stigma from him, a problem that can really mess a guy up in the off season (see Lohse, Kyle). Heck, you could even re sign him if you want to take a crack at it.

[G-Snarls]

Good point, I didnt consider well have a qualifying offer. My rationale to the one year was that he wouldnt be interested in a 3 year deal, as he will coming off that contract at an awkward age. I figure hes either going to go big, or go small and hope to get the big one next year.

 

If he continues to grumble like this the rest of the season, he would probably take a QO and try to right himself in 2014.

[TheHurl]

I find it very unlikely that we couldn't get a return more valuable than a pick in the 25-35 range of the draft.

 

and if gets hurt again next week and misses the rest of the season...would we even make a qualifying offer?

[Santos]

Any one think its possible we sign JJ to a 1-year deal worth sizable money? I'm not sure what the market would be like for him, but it gives him the opportunity to have a bounce back year to parlay into a multi-year big money contract, and it gives us a good starter to try and make the playoffs while allowing the prospects to develop. Considering our window of opportunity is essentially next year, it could be worthwhile for both sides.... then again, in a thin FA for pitchers, he may get the contract he wants regardless.

 

Yea...this miserable first half has actually painted a pretty clear picture for the Jays:

 

Dont trade him (low value) and give him an extending qualifying offer in the offseason...If i was a betting man, I'd bet we see JJ in a Jays uniform next year. For him personally I'd think it wouldnt be a bad idea to accept the offer and try to rebuild his value so he can cash in next offseason. What kind of contract would he get for the way he has played this season??? Much lower then believed heading into 2013 for sure....From a Jays perspective, they will either get another season of JJ which could be a very good thing if he does in fact rebound or he walks and we get our 3rd pick in the 1st round of what would be a very deep draft.

 

If JJ has a really strong 2nd half, then the JAys have the leverage of just trying to extend him to a multi year deal...I dont care how much better the AL East is compared to everyone else. The truth is JJ is a very good pitcher who should be performing much better then this...There is no reason he cant be a 3.50 ERA type pitcher in the AL East when healthy

[Anemic0ffense]

When, oh when will we have people at the top who know how to build a winner? AA is clueless

[Stangstag]

I really don't want anything to do with JJ next year. We can't go into the 2014 season relying on Morrow and JJ. They will most likely have some kind of injury.

[John_Havok]

and if gets hurt again next week and misses the rest of the season...would we even make a qualifying offer?

 

Probably not in that case. But if he's healthy and even pitches like an average starter in the second half, it's a no brainer for the QO.

[fatcowxlive]

I find it very unlikely that we couldn't get a return more valuable than a pick in the 25-35 range of the draft.

 

What if a team from the bottom 10 pick him? Their picks are protected and all we'll get is a supplemental pick

[Angrioter]

All we get anyway is a supplemental pick... this is the second whole year under the new CBA.

 

The signing team has no influence on where we pick, which is how it should be.

 

yeah, new CBA rules.

 

If Johnson continues pitching like s*** then he will accepts the QO to increase his value in 2014 and get big money in 2015 (Haren, EJaX)

[GNick]

I imagine the draft pick is more than they can get more Johnson. Why they not trading him. He makes 13 million, only 1 win this year and has arm troubles.

[G-Snarls]

I imagine the draft pick is more than they can get more Johnson. Why they not trading him. He makes 13 million, only 1 win this year and has arm troubles.

 

Wha???

[Angrioter]

I imagine the draft pick is more than they can get more Johnson. Why they not trading him. He makes 13 million, only 1 win this year and has arm troubles.

 

Johnson is a legit top-rotation guy. Health issues have affected him. We'll see him go and compete for the CY award with another team.

[Chappy]

I really don't want anything to do with JJ next year. We can't go into the 2014 season relying on Morrow and JJ. They will most likely have some kind of injury.

 

Sure we can. The key will be the depth behind them. Lets assume JJ is back next year, the rotation will be (in no particular order) Dickey, JJ, Morrow, Buehrle and Happ. Depth behind is Romero, Stroman, Nolin, Hutch, Drabek?

 

AA would likely need to bring in one more guy who is a #3 or better. Bump Happ to AAA and have him ready as the #6 right out of spring training. The other 5 guys below in the depth charts will get more time to work on things in the minors. I feel a lot more confident about the potential depth heading into next season, the bigger question will be how the guys in the rotation hold up and perform.

[John_Havok]

Think Happ is out of options after this year so he'd ave to up n some capacity or risk being picked off waivers

[Angrioter]

Think Happ is out of options after this year so he'd ave to up n some capacity or risk being picked off waivers

 

......and Happ extension.

[John_Havok]

......and Happ extension.

 

Guys with guaranteed deals can still be optioned if they have options left.

[Angrioter]

Guys with guaranteed deals can still be optioned if they have options left.

 

My point is ...AA increase the Happ salary to keep him in the rotation.

[Howard Roark]

Every man on the planet, no matter what they're packing, wish they had just a little more Johnson. =D

[G-Snarls]

Sure we can. The key will be the depth behind them. Lets assume JJ is back next year, the rotation will be (in no particular order) Dickey, JJ, Morrow, Buehrle and Happ. Depth behind is Romero, Stroman, Nolin, Hutch, Drabek?

 

I'd bet dollars to donuts that 2 of those "depth" guys pitch more innings next year than Brandon Morrow

[Chappy]

I'd bet dollars to donuts that 2 of those "depth" guys pitch more innings next year than Brandon Morrow

 

Probably, that's why having like 6 guys for depth is pretty important. Morrow is made out of glass and can probably only be counted on for 100IP per season moving forward.

[fatcowxlive]

All you'll ever get is a supplemental pick???

 

No? If a team ranked from 1-19 drafted him, we get their first round pick. But a team ranked in the bottom 10 we get a supplemental pick only.