SAN DIEGO -- Josh Johnson was looking for a team close to his Las Vegas home, and the San Diego Padres were looking for a potential top-of-the rotation pitcher. Michael Hoomanawanui Jersey . The sides quickly agreed on an $8 million, one-year contract that was finalized on Wednesday. The Padres, coming off a second straight finish of 76-86, hope theyre getting the Johnson who was an All-Star with Miami in 2009 and 2010 and not the one slowed by triceps and forearm injuries last year while with Toronto. General manager Josh Byrnes said the Padres decided that if they could find a starter who had the chance to a difference-maker, they were going to pursue him. "Heres a guy who led the league in ERA who has been a dominant pitcher," Byrnes said. "We know theres risk in any signing but were very excited about the upside, what he can bring and now what our rotation can do to deliver us toward our goal. We want to be an October team. We really feel like the evolution of our starting pitching and bringing in Josh, weve taken a big step in that direction over the last 12 months." The Padres have had losing records in four of the last five seasons and have missed the playoffs seven straight seasons. Johnson, who had bone spurs removed from his right elbow on Oct. 1, was 2-8 with a 6.20 ERA 16 appearances this season. In addition to his base salary, Johnson would earn a $1.25 million bonus for making 26 starts. He said the top teams on his list were the Giants and Padres, and that he and his agent jumped at the first good offer. "Every time you come in here you want to stay here," Johnson said. "The parks great, the citys great, so those two things, thats pretty much what you want. Its a great park to pitch in. That and the staff, and then the team, its a perfect fit." While not saying who is going to be the No. 1 starter, manager Bud Black said he envisions Johnson fitting in at the top of the order along with Andrew Cashner and Tyson Ross. "Hes done it in the past," Black said. "Obviously hes had some great performances." Add in Ian Kennedy and Eric Stults, and "We have the makings of a very solid rotation," Black said. The Padres also expect to get young pitchers Joe Wieland and Cory Luebke back from reconstructive elbow surgery. Casey Kelly also is recovering from elbow surgery. Johnson led the NL with a 2.30 ERA in 2010. He has a career record of 58-45 with a 3.40 ERA. "Ive seen Josh from the other side, when he was with Toronto, when he was with Florida," Black said. "This guy, potentially for us, brings a lot to the table. Were really, really pumped to have Josh here." The Padres expect Johnson to be ready to go by spring training. "I was pretty close last year, just not healthy," Johnson said. "It was tough trying to throw through it and all of a sudden Im getting these weird pains all the way up my triceps and my forearms getting tight because of everything going on with my elbow. Hopefully that took care of everything." NOTES: The Padres will make a corresponding move on the 40-man roster when Johnsons signing is confirmed by MLB. ... Byrnes said Luebke threw to college players at San Diego State on Saturday and did fine. Willie Snead IV Jersey .C. - Steve Clifford isnt exactly singing his teams praises after the Bobcats won for the sixth time in seven games. P.J. Williams Jersey . Mission accomplished. Now the Royals will take the field on Saturday with a World Series lead for the first time in team history when they play Game 4 of the Fall Classic against the Giants at AT&T Park. http://www.shoptheofficialsaints.com/Elite-Sterling-Moore-Saints-Jersey/ . Now, Sarah Burkes legacy will live on in Canadas Sports Hall of Fame. Burke, who tragically died at age 29 from a training accident in 2012, headlined the 2014 class named for induction Wednesday.Got a question on rule clarification, comments on rule enforcements or some memorable NHL stories? Kerry wants to answer your emails at cmonref@tsn.ca. Hey Kerry, Can you clarify something for me please? On every draw taken by Jonathan Toews, Ive noticed that as soon as the first stick touches the ice (his own on the road and the opponents at home) he simultaneously turns his body and moves his left foot forward, positioning it in front of his opponents right foot immediately before the puck is dropped. This allows him to basically block out the opposing player before the puck is even dropped. How is this not considered to be encroaching (or jumping early) on the faceoff? To me, hes basically being allowed an advantage by getting a head start so to speak on the draw. Keep it up Mr. Fraser! Kyle ShermanWestlake Village, CA Kyle: I did not take your claim lightly that Jonathan Toews cheats on every faceoff, so I examined consecutive faceoffs in an objective manner that the Hawks captain was involved in during the first period of Wednesday nights game. You might be surprised to learn (which I wasnt at all) that the centres from both teams were cheating every chance they could get and as much as the linesmen allowed! There was considerable stick movement regardless of which player placed his stick on the ice first (especially from Jarret Stoll who utilizes a quick stick tap up and down to be in motion when the linesman releases the puck). So put your stick down and your skates squared up on each side of the lines Kyle because this is what transpired: 1) Opening faceoff: Toews set up with open stance to the right before the referee Marc Joannette moved into position to drop the puck. Toews won the opening faceoff cleanly over Anze Kopitar and the Hawks puck possession and attack led to Drew Doughty being called for tripping Toews. 2) As a result of the Kings penalty, Toews took the draw to the right side of Jonathan Quick. From this location, the Hawks captain wanted to draw the puck back to his left. Both Toews and Stoll line up with their feet square on each side of the markings. Toews puts his stick on the ice first butt then picks it up as Stoll comes down with an effort to time the drop. Brandon Coleman Jersey. The linesman puts the puck in and both centres tie up but Toews wins the puck back from the scrum. This puck possession results in a Hawk power play goal by Brent Seabrook. 3) Toews set up square for a Hawks attacking zone left side draw back. Stoll demonstrates a dramatic set to the right with his skates. Jonathan Toews wins the draw cleanly back for another Hawks attacking zone puck possession. 4) Toews lost a neutral zone faceoff as he set up square while Anze Kopitar was twisted to the right. Kopitar won the draw to the sidewall and created a Kings entry into the Hawks zone (First commercial timeout then resulted). 5) Centre ice faceoff following Jarret Stoll goal which saw both Jonathan Toews and Anze Kopitar dramatically twisted as they lined up. Both players moved to gain the benefit of a timed drop. Toews was faster and more dramatic but Kopitar won the draw back and Kings controlled. 6) With 7:10 remaining in the period and a Hawks end zone left side faceoff, Jarret Stoll places his stick on the ice first and does a stick tap up and down to gain momentum as Toews comes down and then up with his stick. Both players attempted to gain the benefit of this timed drop but Stoll was clearly twisted to his right with movement and won the draw back as the Kings controlled the puck in their attacking zone. The linesman fell to the ice and was likely fined a "six-pack." Play went end to end until Marian Gaborik scored on a terrific pass from Anze Kopitar. I think you get the picture by now Kyle. Jonathan Toews is not the only centre thats rotating his left skate in advance of the puck drop; there is cheating on both sides of the faceoff circle! What you have highlighted Kyle is the need for the linesmen to be more diligent in squaring the centres as they get set to drop the puck and not allow a player to swing or move his stick to gain the benefit of a "timed drop". Puck possession off an end zone can be a huge factor in the outcome of a game. Thank you for pointing this out! 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