This comes from
www.boston.com which is run by the Boston Globe.
Obviously everyone will deny because of tampering.
RED SOX NOTEBOOK
Epstein denies Johnson report
GM: Team has not contacted lefthander
By Gordon Edes, Globe Staff | July 8, 2004
Calling it "Internet BS," general manager Theo Epstein vehemently denied the latest round of Randy Johnson rumors -- Bob Lobel said on the Boston Globe SportsPlus show, which aired after last night's game, that Epstein planned to go to Houston next week to sell Johnson at the All-Star Game on the idea of waiving his no-trade clause in order to come to Boston. Lobel also reported that Shonda Schilling, wife of Sox pitcher Curt Schilling, intended to lobby Johnson's wife, Lisa, on coming to Boston.
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Any direct contact between the Sox GM and the Arizona Diamondbacks lefthander, without the permission of Major League Baseball, would constitute tampering, one reason Epstein would be particularly sensitive to the report. Baseball commissioner Bud Selig was away on business yesterday, but a high-ranking MLB executive said Selig had not been approached about Johnson, and before any contact could take place, Selig would have to be informed.
"There's nothing going on with Randy Johnson, zero," said an agitated Epstein, who also refuted the Johnson report on NESN's pregame show in strong terms.
Johnson's agent, Alan Nero, also said he had no knowledge that the Sox had permission to talk to his client. "I would expect to hear anything like that," Nero said, "but anything is possible."
In Los Angeles, where the Diamondbacks were playing the Dodgers last night, Johnson talked for about 15 minutes with Arizona GM Joe Garagiola Jr., but told reporters the Red Sox were not the topic of conversation.
Numerous teams, including the Red Sox and Yankees, have inquired about Johnson's availability, but to this point have been told that neither the Diamondbacks nor Johnson had any interest in a trade. Johnson's permission would be required for any deal to be made.
Last week, Diamondbacks owner Jerry Colangelo told reporters that both the team and Johnson preferred that he return next season, but that if Johnson had interest in a trade, the Diamondbacks would listen to him. Asked yesterday if anything had changed since last week, Garagiola told reporters, "I guess not."
In a market devoid of premium starting pitchers, Johnson, 40, a five-time Cy Young Award winner, represents the biggest prize, especially with the Diamondbacks in last place in the National League West. But Johnson's year-round home is in Arizona, and as the team's lone gate attraction, there are compelling reasons why the Diamondbacks would want him to return next season.
Johnson is under contract next season for $15 million.