Yankees to ship Johnson back to Arizona?

[Yankee1012]

In the past week the Arizona Diamondbacks have offered a package of players to the New York Yankees in exchange for Randy Johnson, a baseball official said.
In need of starting pitching -- and a marquee name that will draw more fans -- the Diamondbacks have offered a package of at least three players, including a major-leaguer. They would also want a 72-hour window to negotiate an extension with Johnson, who is owed $16 million in the final year of his contract. The Yankees, according to the official, don't want to pick up any of Johnson's salary.
Johnson, 43, spent six seasons with Arizona and won four Cy Young Awards before being traded to New York in January 2005. At the time, Arizona was looking to shed payroll and bring in more youth.
Johnson had a full no-trade clause back then, as he does now. And it's believed that if the Yankees were to move him, Johnson would prefer to be closer to his Arizona home.
According to Johnson's agent, Alan Nero, the left-hander has not requested a trade.
"Randy would listen if the Yankees brought something to him," Nero said. "But that has not happened. I don't know what they're doing. It's still speculation as far as we're concerned."
The official said the San Diego Padres are also involved in trade discussions. It's believed that right-handed reliever Scott Linebrink could be the centerpiece of a deal.
If he returns to Arizona, Johnson, with 280 career wins, could get No. 300 as a Diamondback. If he goes to San Diego, he'd join 333-game winner Greg Maddux in the rotation. That is, if he stays healthy. Johnson had back surgery this offseason and it's unknown whether he'll be ready for Opening Day.

Thank you Cashman!!!!!

Finally were getting rid of Johnson. He did ok in NY but his ERA gets way too high and he isnt the same pitcher anymore. As long as we get prospects or bullpen help im ok with this trade.

[Timmer]

Originally Posted by Yankee1012

In the past week the Arizona Diamondbacks have offered a package of players to the New York Yankees in exchange for Randy Johnson, a baseball official said.

What's the link for this?

I wonder who Arizona is offering. If they will include Valverde or Vizcaino in the package, I'd consider it. Perhaps a prospect or a catcher or utiliy infielder as well. Neither is Linebrink, but they would help the bullpen. I've also heard Tracy's name linked to the Yankees in this.

I'm not one of those people who is eager to get rid of Randy (although I was opposed to trading for him in the first place), but if the Yankees can get a decent return, it's something to consider. Certianly, with Wang, Pettitte, Mussina, and Igawa, Unit is superfluous, especially if Pavano is healthy. But even if he isn't, there's Rasner, there's Karstens, or one of the kids might surprise us and be ready. (I'm not counting on that, however, and I really would prefer to let them develop in Scranton/Wilkes-Barre.)

If this trade is made, it might not be a bad idea to get a couple of fifth starter types on invitations or minor-league contracts, just in case. Armas maybe?

[Yankee1012]

Sorry about that heres the link

ESPN.com - MLB - Official: Diamondbacks, Yankees talking Unit trade

[GerryInCS]

Originally Posted by Timmer

What's the link for this?

I wonder who Arizona is offering. If they will include Brian Fuentes in the package, I'd consider it. Perhaps a prospect or a catcher or utiliy infielder as well. Fuentes isn't Linebrink, but he would help the bullpen.

I'm not one of those people who is eager to get rid of Randy (although I was opposed to trading for him in the first place), but if the Yankees can get a decent return, it's sopmething to consider. Certianly, with Wang, Pettitte, Mussina, and Igawa, Unit is superfluous, especially if Pavano is healthy. But even if he isn't, there's Rasner, there's Karstens, or one of the kids might surprise us and be ready. (I'm not counting on that, however, and I really would prefer to let them develop in ranton/Wilkes-Barre.)

If this trde is made, it might not be a bad idea to get a couple of fifth starter types on invitations or minor-league contracts, just in case. Armas maybe?

Brian Fuentes pitches for the Rockies not the Diamondbacks

[Dan]

Originally Posted by GerryInCS

Brian Fuentes pitches for the Rockies not the Diamondbacks

Yeah that's true. I believe it has been said that a Diamondback deal would center around Chad Tracy, and two minor leaguers(unsure about quality, possibly that kid Montero that they have, catching prospect). A deal with the Padres would center around Scott Linebrink, according to ESPN. I never thought that Johnson would garner any interest with that contract, but I guess I was mistaken.

[bombersfan49]

Hi all, my first post here. Assuming the Yanks trade Johnson and free up all that salary, how seriously then would Cashman start looking at Zito? Or is this just wishfull thinking?

[Dan]

Originally Posted by bombersfan49

Hi all, my first post here. Assuming the Yanks trade Johnson and free up all that salary, how seriously then would Cashman start looking at Zito? Or is this just wishfull thinking?

I would think it's wishful thinking. But going after Clemens would not be a stretch...

[Timmer]

Originally Posted by bombersfan49

Hi all, my first post here. Assuming the Yanks trade Johnson and free up all that salary, how seriously then would Cashman start looking at Zito? Or is this just wishfull thinking?

According to Steve Phillips on ESPN, if the Yankees trade Randy, going after Zito is exactly what they intend to do, and "whatever the Mets offer, the Yankees will go a dollar higher."

Imagine a rotation of Zito, Wang, Pettitte, Mussina, Igawa/Pavano.

[bombersfan49]

Originally Posted by Timmer

According to Steve Phillips on ESPN, if the Yankees trade Randy, going after Zito is exactly what they intend to do, and "whatever the Mets offer, the Yankees will go a dollar higher."

Imagine a rotation of Zito, Wang, Pettitte, Mussina, Igawa/Pavano.

Oh I can imagine it all right, no problem. I'm new here so not sure of the policy on posting links but over on SI.com Jon Heyman has a good article on this.

[Timmer]

Well, Zito agreed to a deal with the Giants (7 years, $126 million -- that's $18 million per!!!)

It looks as if the Yankees are asking the D-Backs for three young arms.

MLB Trade Rumors

Yesterday for the East Valley Tribune, Jack Magruder indicated that the Yankees want a trio of young arms from the Diamondbacks in return for Randy Johnson. They want one reliever in the group.

Brandon Medders, a 27 year-old right-handed reliever, is said to be a target. Medders posted a solid 3.64 ERA in 71 innings in 2006, though his 1.68 K/BB ratio is cause for concern. Magruder indicates that Arizona wants to substitute the pricier Luis Vizcaino instead of Medders.

The other pitchers would come out of this group: Edgar Gonzalez, Enrique Gonzalez, Dustin Nippert, Ross Ohlendorf, and Micah Owings. What, no Juan Cruz? Baseball Prospectus's Kevin Goldstein lists Nippert as a "good prospect" and Owings as an "average prospect." The others aren't in the team's top 10. That might be a testament to all the young talent in the organization though.

Magruder doesn't expect the D'Backs to meet this Yankee demand, but perhaps the teams can meet in the middle.

And the Padres appear to be the leaders for RJ at the moment. It's being rumored that they are offering Scott Linebrink and Kevin Kouzmanoff. The Dodgers and Angels also have some level of interest.

[Timmer]

Doesn't Arizona have Randy Choate?