Josh Johnson expected to pick a team this week, Pirates a finalist for the right hander
The Pittsburgh Pirates have been operating with the mindset that A.J. Burnett won’t be back and the Pirates have intensified their pursuit of Josh Johnson who emerged out of last weeks GM meetings at the top of their wishlist. Expectations are Johnson will pick a team this week and his Agent Matt Sosnick confirmed to the Tribune-Review Tuesday that the Pirates are on Johnson’s shortlist and among three to four teams he is considering. Word is if the Pirates and Johnson strike a deal, it will come in around $8.5 million per season. The buzz, though, is that Johnson is likely headed to the San Diego Padres.