FOX Sports' Ken Rosenthal reports that the Marlins nearly completed a trade for Jim Johnson before deciding to deal for Bryan Morris instead.

The deal would have been for the club's competitive balance pick -- No. 39 overall -- which they wound up trading for Morris. The A's would have included cash in the deal to cover some of Johnson's $10 million salary. An A's source told Rosenthal that the club isn't looking to move Johnson, but the Marlins "approached them about a trade while aggressively pursuing bullpen help last weekend." Johnson's role with the A's in currently in flux.

After coming in with the A's down by a run, Jim Johnson gave up two runs and three hits in his inning of relief against the Tigers on Thursday.

Johnson hasn't been all bad -- he was coming off three scoreless innings in his last two appearances -- but he's not getting consistent work and he's not close to reestablishing himself as a late-game option in the Oakland pen. He's not worth holding on to in mixed leagues any longer.

Pitching in the sixth inning, Jim Johnson walked three of the six batters he faced, hitting another, before being pulled against the Indians.

Fortunately, Johnson's wildness did little harm; he allowed just one run in a 9-2 game before Fernando Abad came in and got the final out of the inning. Still, it was a very uncharacteristic outing from a guy who seems to have lost his confidence. He obviously won't be closing out any games in the ninth for a while. Sean Doolittle and Luke Gregerson will probably share those duties.

Jim Johnson was yanked after allowing a double and a single in the ninth inning of Monday's 5-4 win against the White Sox.

Oakland almost let this one get away in the ninth inning as skipper Bob Melvin rather clumsily knee-jerked his way through four ninth inning pitchers before the last one finally got the first out. Melvin sent out Jesse Chavez to complete his start, pulled him after he gave up a Jose Abreu home run, then Fernando Abad entered to walk Adam Dunn before Johnson's brief appearance. Sean Doolittle came on and navigated choppy waters to hurl a scoreless inning and earn his second save. Melvin indicated Saturday that Johnson was closing in on his old closer's job, but Johnson has allowed runs in both of his outings since.

Jim Johnson threw 1 2/3 scoreless innings against the Red Sox on Sunday, earning the victory in the Athletics' 3-2 win.

Johnson entered a tie game with a runner on first in the ninth inning and promptly induced a double play. After the A's gave him the lead in the top of the 10th, Johnson got another double play to finish the game and secure the win. He still hasn't earned a save since being removed from the closer role, but it's clear that he's regained the favor of A's manager Bob Melvin with his strong pitching of late.

Athletics manager Bob Melvin said Saturday that Jim Johnson would have been used in a save situation Friday had the game been closer.

Melvin had indicated Thursday that Johnson could be in the mix for saves again, and it sounds like he'll get the next opportunity that comes up. The skipper was quick to add, however, that he still plans to use multiple closers and Johnson has not officially gotten his job back. Johnson has tossed 6 2/3 scoreless innings since being removed from the closer gig.

Athletics manager Bob Melvin said Thursday that Jim Johnson could be back in the ninth inning mix along with Luke Gregerson and Sean Doolittle.

Johnson was stripped of his closer duties two weeks ago but has responded with 6 2/3 scoreless innings since then. Gregerson and Doolittle, meanwhile, have allowed a combined six runs over their last six appearances. Melvin also noted that while he likes the way Ryan Cook has pitched lately, he's expected to remain in a setup role.

Athletics manager Bob Melvin indicated Friday that the team will continue to employ a committee to close games.

With Luke Gregerson blowing a save in his last outing, and Jim Johnson pitching well in middle relief, there had been some speculation that Johnson would regain the cloer's role, but that doesn't appear to be the reality just yet. Look for Gregerson, Sean Doolittle, Dan Otero, Ryan Cook and perhaps even Johnson to share the load in the late innings.

Jim Johnson earned the win Tuesday night against the Angels by tossing two scoreless innings of relief in the 11-inning, 10-9 win.

Owners that have held onto Johnson should consider this evening an unmitigated success. To make it possible, Mike Trout had to crush a two-run homer off Sean Doolittle in the ninth to force extras. Once there, Johnson tossed a scoreless 10th and 11th, striking out one, walking one, and giving up a single. He's tossed five straight scoreless innings, earning the victory on consecutive nights, and has to be nearing the ninth inning discussion again.

Jim Johnson has been removed from the A's closer role.

Johnson had more problems on Wednesday, blowing a 4-2 ninth-inning lead to the Twins. The right-hander has allowed nine hits, six walks, and seven earned runs in 3 1/3 innings this season with Oakland. Ryan Cook just got back from the disabled list but profiles best as a closer. The A's will likely roll with a committee for now.

Jim Johnson gave up two runs on two hits and two walks while recording just one out before being pulled from a save chance in Wednesday's extra-innings win over the Twins.

It was a mess for Johnson, as the only out he recorded was on a bunt that was popped up. He wasn't charged with his second blown save of the season because the Twins didn't tie it until a sac fly off of Dan Otero (who relieved Johnson). However, that doesn't change the fact that the A's closer has been awful in three of five appearances so far. A's manager Bob Melvin said after the game that he wasn't ready to decide whether he'd consider making a change in the ninth inning, but it wouldn't be a surprise. With Ryan Cook just back from the DL, Melvin could lean towards Luke Gregerson and/or Sean Doolittle if he makes a change.

A's manager Bob Melvin backed Jim Johnson as the team's closer on Wednesday night.

Johnson has surrendered five earned runs on five hits and three walks through just two appearances with Oakland, taking a loss on Monday and a blown save Wednesday. "The velocity is there, the movement is there," Melvin told reporters after Wednesday's brutal showing. "At times, they laid off some tough pitches." Johnson is making $10 million this season in his final year of arbitration, but the A's may have to consider someone else if the slip-ups continue.

Jim Johnson blew a save in ugly fashion Wednesday as the A's dropped the second half of a doubleheader to the Indians.

Johnson entered the game in the top of the ninth inning with Oakland leading 4-3. He yielded a leadoff single to Ryan Raburn, another single to Nick Swisher, and then walked Carlos Santana one batter later. Michael Brantley then put the Tribe ahead with a two-run single to right field. Johnson allowed three runs in all on three hits and two walks, and he now has a 45.00 ERA through two appearances with his new team.

Jim Johnson was charged with the loss Monday against the Indians after giving up two runs in the ninth inning.

Pitching in a non-save situation, Johnson allowed four out of the five batters he faced to reach base, including two hits, a walk, and a hit-by-pitch. The only out he recorded was a sacrifice fly which allowed the go-ahead run to score. He was pulled after giving up an RBI single to Nick Swisher. Acquired from the Orioles over the winter, Johnson should do fine in the closer role for Oakland, but he doesn't miss as many bats as you'd like to see and being at the mercy of your defense can open the door for some nail-biting moments.

Jim Johnson tossed a scoreless fourth inning against the Cubs on Monday.

Johnson allowed a hit while blanking the Cubs. The new closer for the A's, Johnson's ERA is down to 3.00 through six Cactus League innings.

Athletics avoided arbitration with RHP Jim Johnson by agreeing to a one-year, $10 million contract.

MLBTradeRumors.com had Johnson projected to get $10.8 millionin his final year of arbitration. Acquired last month in a trade with the Orioles, Johnson has posted back-to-back 50-save seasons and will hold down the ninth inning in Oakland.

Athletics acquired RHP Jim Johnson from the Orioles for 2B Jemile Weeks and a player to be named later or cash.

The A's traded a player that they didn't want anymore, but they'll have to pay Johnson a big chunk of change in arbitration. The good news is that they've got their closer situation settled now with a guy coming off back-to-back 50-save seasons. Johnson is far from dominant, striking out just 6.0 per nine innings for his career, but he should get the job done in Oakland.

FOX Sports' Ken Rosenthal reports that the Athletics are the team "most involved" in trade talks for Jim Johnson.

Rosenthal reported earlier Monday that the Dodgers were in the mix, but he's now saying they're essentially out of the running. Johnson is slated to make more than $10 million in his final year of arbitration and likely won't cost much in the way of prospects. The 30-year-old has tallied back-to-back 50-save seasons but also blew a league-high nine opportunities. He would take over the ninth inning in Oakland with Grant Balfour expected to depart in free agency.

FOX Sports' Ken Rosenthal reports that the Dodgers are in the mix for Orioles closer Jim Johnson.

Baltimore is working hard to trade Johnson, who stands to make more than $10 million in 2014 -- his final year of salary arbitration. The 30-year-old right-hander posted a 2.94 ERA in 70 1/3 innings this summer while racking up 50 saves. He can become a free agent next winter.

ESPN's Buster Olney reports that the Orioles are listening to offers for closer Jim Johnson.

Johnson is due to make over $10 million in his final year of arbitration -- a big number for a team with so many other holes to fill -- so the Orioles are looking to the trade market. The 30-year-old wasn't nearly as effective this year, but he's coming off back-to-back 50-save seasons.