Rumors have it that Josh Johnson will not be trade despite all the talk of the right hander finding a new home. Johnson's numbers are far from impressive posting a 1-5 record with a 5.16 ERA in 12 starts this season. His injury history isn't any reason to motivate any suitors in acquiring Johnson, but there's a huge reason why the Blue Jays will not want to trade Johnson away.
The Blue Jays can make a one-year offer after the season is over. However, if Johnson decides to turn this deal down and leave town, the Blue Jays would receive a first-round compensation pick. As MLB Trade Rumors shared, Toronto didn't sign their first-round pick, so they will have two first round picks in 2014. Add Johnson's compensation pick and the Blue Jays can add three players in the first round of the 2014 draft.
The Blue Jays can set their future up as guys like Jose Bautista, Edwin Encarnacion, R.A. Dickey and Jose Reyes will be all past their prime. If the Blue Jays can't win this year, then they will have some possible future stars in their farm system if Johnson decides to move on elsewhere.
Toronto is currently in last place in a very tight A.L. East division that has the Boston Red Sox controlling the standings. They are trailing the fourth-place New York Yankees by 5.5 games. At 45-49, there's still plenty of baseball to be played in 2013. The Blue Jays would need a miracle as their pitching has struggled. However, they have one of the best hitting lineups in baseball. If opponents make too many mistakes, the Blue Jays will make them pay for it, not to mention this is a team nobody would want to face at the latter stages of the season as they are making a playoff run.
Johnson, the former Miami Marlin, was one of baseball's most talked about youngsters. In recent years, following shoulder issues, Johnson hasn't been the same pitcher who won 15 games in 2009. Right now, he's worth a possible first-round pick, but he would have to leave Toronto in order to do the team a favor.
