Miami Marlins

Marlins notebook

Miami Marlins’ Josh Johnson not worrying about trade rumors

 

cspencer@MiamiHerald.com

Josh Johnson said he will be taking a why-worry attitude to the mound Sunday in which could be his final outing as a Marlin. Johnson, who is in the next-to-last year of his contract, could be dealt before Tuesday’s trading deadline.

“If it’s going to happen, it’s going to happen,” Johnson said Saturday. “If not, then I’m still here, which is what I want. So there’s no reason to sit there and worry about what I’m going to do if this happens or that happens.”

Johnson is receiving interest from a number of contending teams. But sources said the Marlins are demanding a lot for the 28-year-old, perhaps as many as three top prospects.

One American League source said if the Marlins don’t receive a premium for Johnson, they will likely hang on to him.

One possible suitor could be the Texas Rangers, who have a top, power-hitting third baseman in their system — Mike Olt — who the Marlins are thought to covet. But the Rangers are said to be reluctant to give him up, and there are other reports suggesting the Rangers’ interest in Johnson has cooled.

Other teams that have shown interest in Johnson include the Red Sox, Blue Jays and Orioles.

Stanton’s status

Giancarlo Stanton is targeting an Aug. 10 return date to the Marlins.

Stanton, who had loose bodies removed from his knee on July 9, began jogging Friday and said he will like begin appearing in rehab games for Single A Jupiter on Wednesday.

Stanton, who has also been taking batting practice for about a week, said there is no reason to think he won’t be ready for the start of the Marlins’ next homestand.

Ballpark reviews

Marlins Park received rave reviews from a pair of former Marlins, including a franchise “original.”

Retired reliever Trevor Hoffman, a special assistant in the San Diego Padres’ front office and a member of the first Marlins team in 1993, said the Marlins hit a “home run” with the new park.

“I think the style fits the city, and the colors fit the culture,” Hoffman said.

Said Padres backup catcher John Baker, who was with the Marlins from 2008-11: “I think it has the right amount of circus to it. I had a good laugh at the sea creatures race, the aquarium and the home run display. But, as different as it is from the rest of Major League Baseball, it seems to be perfect for Miami.”

•  Ozzie Guillen dropped Logan Morrison, who entered Saturday hitting .122 since the All-Star break, to the No. 7 spot in the order.

“What do you expect?” Guillen said. “The guy has one hit in his last 70 at-bats. He keeps swinging like that, he’ll be my bench coach.”

Coming up

•  Sunday: Marlins RHP Josh Johnson (6-7, 4.14 ERA) vs. San Diego Padres LHP Clayton Richard (7-11, 4.17), 1:10 p.m., Marlins Park.

•  Monday: Marlins LHP Mark Buehrle (9-9, 3.31) at Atlanta Braves RHP Tommy Hanson (11-5, 4.39), 7:10 p.m., Turner Field.

•  Scouting report: Johnson is emerging from a win over Atlanta in which he allowed only one hit over six innings. He left the game early with a cut on his finger but said it is a “non-issue” and won’t affect him Sunday.

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