January 09, 2007
Unit Part II
Randy Johnson passed his physical and returns to the Diamondbacks today:
Randy Johnson passed a physical with the Diamondbacks, as expected, and the team will formally announce during a 1 p.m. news conference today at Chase Field that he has been reacquired from the New York Yankees.
"I just spoke to Randy and Lisa (Johnson's wife), and they're thrilled," said Barry Meister, one of Johnson's agents. "They're so happy to be back in Arizona and are so looking forward to being with the Diamondbacks.
"We're looking for a long relationship and Randy finishing his career there with a World Series patch on his sleeve."
I've seen more negative than positive comments about the trade from the point of view of the Diamondbacks. I don't agree. Sean Smith points out that all the projections for Johnson are pretty good. And if Randy's problems in 2006 were back related, that problem is fixed now. I could see Johnson posting a 4.00 ERA easily in 2007. Given that the starters with Brandon Webb had a 4.55 team ERA in 2006, a season like that from Johnson would be an improvement. Remember, despite the bad back, he still struck out batters and walked few. If a healthy back causes him to hang fewer pitches, Diamondbacks fans will be very happy with his performance.
Arizona sees a window of opportunity here to win the division. Johnson will bring in fans, and if the team wins consistently, that will bring in even more. More fans equal more money equals the ability to build a better team in the future. Think of it as a high risk, high reward move, with decent confidence that the risk pays off.
Posted by David Pinto at
10:31 AM
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Sorry but the Front Office here has been saying for the last 10 months about going on a youth movement, and they are starting over, with the new uniforms and such. They then do not resign Batista, Counsell, Gonzo, and Johnny Estrada.
You do not have the mindset of making a run for the division title and not resign not one of these guys. The signing of Randy Johnson after we were told all last summer and fall that this was a new beginning and they were going for youth contradictst the signing.
I disagree John. That youth movement was more in the field, not necessarily pitching. Besides, they wanted to resign Batista, but the market was too good for him to not file for free agency. The DBacks offered him salary arbitration. Granted, they were probably not going to give him as much as the market did. I know it sounds like the organization statement, but I tend to agree with it. I agree with David also, Johnson is an upgrade for their starting pitching staff.
I'm surprised there hasn't been more (in fact, ANY) comment on one reason I think the D-Backs wanted Johnson: they want him to enter the Hall Of Fame wearing a D-Backs uniform.
They wanted Johnson to put buts in the seats. Randy was going into the Hall as a Diamondback even if he stayed in New York and had two more subpar years. He also provides some experience to what will be a pretty young pitching staff. I think this trade was a win-win, because the Yankees further sticked their system to develope those youngsters, or use them as trade bait. Can you say Johan Santana?
"You do not have the mindset of making a run for the division title and not resign not one of these guys. "
I disagree. I don't see the D-Backs making a decision to either win now or rebuild and then blindly follow wherever that idea leads. They are trying to put the best product on the field, regardless of that product being young or ancient.
Estrada brings in a durable veteran starter, plus Montero should be ready. Gonzalez is gone because they think their young OF's are better players than him right now.
Batista might make a good 5th starter and Counsell an excellent utility guy, but not signing them may be the reason they can afford to bring back Johnson.
As a partial-hearted D'backs fan, I hadn't wanted them to trade for Johnson, but I'm not negative about this deal. I don't expect huge things from Johnson, but I don't think the cost in dollars, players, or opportunity for others to be so great as to be a significant detriment. Johnson has a decent chance of being valuable even if not up to his old self, and I do think there is added value for the D'backs in terms of promotion and publicity, more so than for any other team.