Johnson to Red Sox?

Nationals first baseman Nick Johnson is off to a solid start this season hitting .333 with 3 home runs and a .421 on-base percentage. Johnson hasn't had a full season since 2006, missing all of 2007 and playing in just 38 games in 2008. Johnson would give the Red Sox offense a huge boost, especially because David Ortiz is not hitting. Johnson could platoon at first and DH, giving time off to Kevin Youkilis, David Ortiz, and Mike Lowell (Johnson at first, Youk to third).

The Nationals would definitely ask for pitching in return, possibly targeting Daniel Bard. ESPN.com's Peter Gammons believes Manny Delcarmen could be a closer in the NL, so the Nationals could ask for Declarmen and a minor league position player. The Red Sox are very protective of their top young pitchers, and I would be surprised to see them trade Buchholz, Bowden, Tazawa, or Masterson.

This story was approved by MLB Rumors.