After trading their star shortstop Hanley Ramirez to the LA Dodgers, the Miami Marlins have now been reportedly shopping around their ace pitcher Josh Johnson.
Several different sources are reporting that the Marlins will be willing to part ways with Johnson if the right offer is presented.
Johnson has had an inconsistent season with the Marlins, starting out slow with a 5.34 ERA 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.
With the trade deadline looming, a possible deal would have to be made rather quickly.
The Cleveland Indians have reportedly been in the market for a good starting pitcher to help them in the race for the AL Central title, and Johnson would be a blockbuster move in that regard.
However, depending on how the next two games against the Detroit Tigers go, the Indians' attitude toward the trade deadline could change. They may gain newfound confidence if they come up with two wins, but in the event that they lose both games and lose more ground, the deal for Johnson may in fact be made.
The Indians sent out a scout to the Marlins game on Monday, but who they were actually scouting has remained to be unknown.
The Texas Rangers are another team who may be interested in acquiring Johnson to add to their somewhat struggling pitching rotation.
Though they are 45-45 and are fourth in the National League East, adding Johnson would probably not solve their rotation problems, but certainly add some stability.
Add to the fact that Johnson would be signed through 2013 will give the Rangers some assurance that they will not just have another rental player as they did in 2010 when they acquired Cliff Lee.
