Padres Editorial: Ranking the Off-Season Moves Part I

#10

The re-signing of Josh Johnson at one-year-$1 million dollars

Former All-Star Josh Johnson has never lacked in ability, his arm and stuff, is flat out nasty. He has however, had trouble staying healthy in his nine-year career. Johnson’s tenure with the San Diego Padres actually started last season when he was signed November 20, 2013 for the 2014 season at the price of $8 million dollars.

Johnson made three spring starts and yet again succumbed to an elbow injury. It was first reported he had a forearm/elbow strain and would miss 4-6 weeks to begin the 2014 season. On April 23, 2014 it was reported that Johnson would undergo his second career Tommy John surgery. A promising young power pitcher again has his career derailed by injuries.

Josh Johnson had an outstanding 2009 and 2010 season for the Florida Marlins. He totaled 26 wins and had an ERA of 2.70.  He was a two-time All-Star, and only 26-years old.  A series of shoulder, forearm, bicep and elbow injuries stalled his career since. He has tremendous upside, but like many pitchers in the history of the game, just physically could not handle the stress of being a Major League pitcher.

The original offer in 2014 was not on A.J. Preller’s watch. I find it hard to believe he would have guaranteed eight million dollars to Johnson. To essentially give a player with a well known injury history, that much money… left Padre fans up in arms. I can remember thinking, we are on a budget and we throw eight million dollars in that direction. That alone will be my last memory of our previous management. At 1 million for hopefully half a season, it is slightly better, but still a crap shoot. Johnson could be a steal, the potential will always be there. Who knows, stranger things have happened.