2. Brian Johnson is trade bait.  Johnson has made a couple of starts this year, one was mediocre and one on Saturday was exceptional.  I couldn’t help but think of Kason Gabbard’s complete game shutout in 2007 as I watched Johnson polish things off on Saturday evening.  If the Sox elect to make a move at some point I think Johnson is pitching himself into a place where he is a guy who would be a piece in such a move.

I can't dispute anything that you've said here, except for him being trade bait. For the rest of the year their "best" rotation is:

Sale
Porcello
Price
Rodriguez
Pomeranz

Johnson is the only one in the minors who I'd have confidence in. Given the length of Price's comeback, and Pomeranz occasionally looking toasty, I'd suspect we have another injury coming up in the next month or so. I don't think they can afford to trade him.

Now if they trade him for a stud pitcher, sure. But I don't see that option being available.

It definitely would be a gamble on health throughout the rotation but there isn't a lot else to deal. It would probably be more accurate to say that IF the Sox want to make a move Johnson is probably at the intersection in terms of guys the Sox are willing to move (i.e. not Devers or Groome) and in terms of guys other teams are interested in (i.e. not Owens or Ball). If (there's that word again) the Sox are making a move Johnson and/or Chavis is probably what is going in the other direction.

Right, but I think that's a pretty good argument against them making a move.

I don't think Price looked very good but, but for his first start coming off the injury he looked OK. I was surprised how much junk he threw later in the game. He didn't seem to have much confidence in his fastball after the 4th inning.

The double play really saved his bacon and that ball was hit pretty hard into the hole.

4. I’m in no rush to get Pablo Sandoval back.

Quoted for emphasis.