Report: No takers for Athletics' Johnson

The Oakland Athletics would like to trade deposed closer Jim Johnson in advance of the July 31 non-waiver trade deadline, but have thus far received little interest in the struggling 31-year-old, according to John Hickey of the Bay Area News Group

Acquired in a trade with the Baltimore Orioles this winter, Johnson was expected to assume ninth-inning duties for the Athletics after notching at least 50 saves in each of the last two seasons. However, the veteran right-hander was quickly supplanted by Sean Doolittle after crafting a 6.91 ERA through his first 14 appearances with the Athletics.

“They would prefer to move him before the trade deadline,’’ one source told Hickey of Johnson, who boasts a $10-million salary this season. “They've been trying. So far, nothing's happening.’’

Johnson owns an unsightly 6.25 ERA with a 1.96 WHIP through 37 games this season, managing an 11.7 percent walk rate while allowing five home runs over 40 1/3 innings.