December 26, 2006
More Unit News
The New York Daily News names San Diego, not Arizona, as the leading contender for Randy.
San Diego right now appears to be the most likely destination for the five-time Cy Young Award winner, but the Dodgers, Angels and Diamondbacks are all said to be in the mix. One of the officials, familiar with the ongoing discussions, used the phrase "several bona fide offers" to describe what the Yankees are mulling and said the Yankees probably would not have to include any money.
In exchange for Johnson, it's possible the Yankees could be looking at San Diego reliever Scott Linebrink, a righthander they've always liked.
I still think a trade of Johnson is unlikely for a number of reasons:
- Johnson's health.
- Johnson's no trade clause.
- The price the Yankees are asking.
However, there does appear to be a bidding war developing between San Diego, Los Angeles and Arizona as each team tries to keep Johnson away from the other. I'm sure we'll hear lots more on this over the next few days.
And of course, there's the Zito speculation:
Freeing up $16 million also may open the door for them to enter the bidding for top free agent lefthander Barry Zito, in which the Mets are a major player.
I always thought the Yankees might swoop in on Barry if a deal made sense. This might light a fire under the Mets, Rangers and Giants to try to get a deal done before a Johnson trade happens.
Posted by David Pinto at
09:05 AM
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I'm not that persuaded by the Zito rumor simply b/c money was never an issue w/ the Yanks before. If they were truly bullish on his abilities they would have already been major players with or w/o the Unit's contract.
As a Yankee hater, I'm hoping R.J. stays right where he is and has another year of being old, hurt and ineffective for the Evile Empire.
I do believe that money was/is an issue. Look at the Yankees purging salary. They have a budget to stick with and they can't add salary willy-nilly. They will have to make room for Zito's salary if they want to sign him. Hopefully (as a Yankee fan) the bidding war will allow the Yanks to get a couple good prospects (I'm also hoping for a good reliever like Linebrink so that they don't have to trade Melky for Gonzo), and then sign Zito for $90M or so.
David, when I asked you this question a couple of weeks ago on your radio show, you said no way. I guess I'm not totally crazy.
Here's hoping LA or Ari will send some good young players the Yankees' way...
The Yankees deserve a comparable package of Javier Vasquez, Brad Halsey and Dionner Navarro. As if those prospects amounted to anything.
I like thise trade, especially if the Yanks can get Connor Jackson and a prospect or two. They will get even younger while filling a whole in thee 07 lineup. Also, they can pull this off without having to rely too much on Pavano because they have Rasner, Karstens and Sanchez who should be ready to take the 5th spot in the rotation by opening day. And then there is the possible later additions of Clemens and Highes. I say do it, now!
You're dreaming if you think the Yankees would be able to get Conor.
Maybe so, but who would the D-backs be willing to give up for Johnson? From what I've heard, Arizona initiated this one. The Yankees should get rid of either Johnson or Pavano before the season starts.
This is as much of a salary dump as you're ever going to see from the Yankess, so why should Arizona give up anyone decent if the Yankees aren't paying any of the $16 mil? If San Diego can get the Yankees attention with Scott Linebrink, Arizona should at most be waving Luis Vizcaino or other bullpen filler. Better yet, Arizona should be taking a pass. In his last year with Arizona, Johnson pretty much demonstrated that he wasn't willing to tolerate younger players making mistakes behind him and costing him wins.
Arizona initiated it? The article claims Johnson stated to Cashman that he wanted out after his brother passed away. That sounds a lot more reasonable than Arizona making the first step for a guy with a no-trade clause who wanted so badly out of Phoenix the first time.