Big Unit Back to D-Backs? Trade talks have begun!

Originally Posted by ESPN

NEW YORK -- If the New York Yankees are serious about trading Randy Johnson, the Arizona Diamondbacks would love to have him back.


Randy Johnson
Starting Pitcher
New York Yankees

Profile
2006 SEASON STATISTICS
GM W L BB K ERA
33 17 11 60 172 5.00

Arizona confirmed its talks with New York about the Big Unit, who won four Cy Young Awards with the Diamondbacks from 1999-2004, but thus far the Yankees' asking price has been too high.

"There's no activity at this point," Diamondbacks general partner Jeff Moorad said Tuesday. "The Diamondbacks as an organization have a tremendous amount of respect for Randy, yet also recognize he's under contract to the Yankees. If there's ever an opportunity that made sense to reacquire him, we'd be at the head of the line."

The San Diego Padres and San Francisco Giants also have talked with New York about Johnson, a baseball official who had been briefed on the talks said, speaking on condition of anonymity because no deal had been agreed to.

Yankees general manager Brian Cashman declined comment on Johnson, and Padres GM Kevin Towers didn't return messages seeking comment.


If the Yankees do trade Johnson, who is owed $16 million next year in the final season of his contract, New York would consider pursuing Barry Zito, the top available starting pitcher on the free-agent market.


Johnson, who lives in the Phoenix area, was 17-11 with a 5.00 ERA last season and is coming off back surgery on Oct. 26. He went 103-49 in six seasons with the Diamondbacks, leading the NL in ERA three times and victories once.


He went 5-1 in the 2001 postseason, including 3-0 in Arizona's seven-game World Series win over the Yankees.


Johnson enters next season with a 280-147 career record. He waived his no-trade clause when the Diamondbacks traded him to the Yankees after the 2004 season and would have to waive it again for New York to deal him.


He has been a disappointment in New York despite a 34-19 regular-season record, going 0-1 with a 6.92 ERA in three postseason appearances, and perhaps has become expendable. New York's rotation also includes Chien-Ming Wang, Mike Mussina, Andy Pettitte and Kei Igawa -- who must complete his $20 million, five-year agreement by Thursday. The Yankees also have oft-injured right-hander Carl Pavano and a couple of touted pitching prospects.

Copyright 2006 by The Associated Press

Originally Posted by New York DailyNews

The Diamondbacks have been the most aggressive suitors for Randy Johnson and sources close to the negotiations said yesterday that the Yankees and Arizona could complete a trade to send Johnson back to the desert before next week.

The Diamondbacks, who view Johnson as a gate attraction, want to talk to the Big Unit about a contract extension, a source said. That would give Arizona a chance to reap the attendance and buzz benefits of Johnson going for his 300th victory - he will enter next season with 280 wins.

The Yankees, meanwhile, have their eyes on a package of Arizona pitching prospects. The Diamondbacks are loaded with young talent and if the Yankees send Johnson home to Arizona - Johnson's home is in the Phoenix suburb of Paradise Valley - they'd like to get at least two of the following three pitchers: Dustin Nippert, Micah Owings and Ross Ohlendorf.

Nippert, 25, is a 6-8 righthander who was 13-8 with a 4.87 ERA in Triple-A last season and lost both his major league starts. Owings, a 6-5 righty, was 6-2 at Double-A and 10-0 at Triple-A. Ohlendorf, a 6-4 righty, spent most of last season in Double-A, going 10-8 with a 3.29 ERA. Ohlendorf had 125 strikeouts and only 29 walks in 177-2/3 innings.

The Padres, believed to be offering reliever Scott Linebrink, also have been involved, but the Yankees apparently prefer the players they might be able to pry from the Diamondbacks. While talks are ongoing, the Yankees have not brought a deal to Johnson and his agents to approve - Johnson has a full no-trade clause in his contract.

Johnson, who is coming off back surgery, did not request a trade, but the Yankees began discussions with other clubs after GM Brian Cashman called Johnson to offer condolences after Johnson's older brother died recently. During the call, Johnson told the GM it was important to be close to his family.

The Yankees don't feel that trading Johnson is a necessity, but they're willing to listen, and several baseball officials have said privately recently that the Yankees are working diligently to consummate a deal.

While the Yankees have been pursuing pitchers in their talks with the D-Backs, Padres and other West Coast teams, it's believed they have made progress in their plans for the spare parts they need at first base and utility infielder. A source said the Yankees are zeroing in on Doug Mientkiewicz to play first while Jason Giambi is the designated hitter, even though Mientkiewicz is a lefthanded batter.

Also, the source said, Mark Loretta may be the Yankees' first choice to be a utility infielder. Loretta had hoped to find a job as a regular second baseman, but hasn't.