Big Unit on the move?

[VonErich Lives]

He's 40, injury problems, family is settled in Arizona....

Now, word is... there talking to him about being willing to accept a trade.

top 3 teams are rumored to be Red Sox, Yanks & Anehiem.

Sox have better prospects then Yanks, plus they say Garigiola doesen't like Steinbrenner from when the DB almost signed Wells and the owner of the DB has some issues w/ the Angels owner.

I dunno, I'll take him on the Sox, but depends on the price.

[DaveWadding]

Johnson is NOT N - O - T BEING TRADED.

[Boomer]

There's no way he's cheap. Wasting their time. Maybe in his prime but not now.

[BCWWF]

I've heard the Johnson is pretty content at finishing his career in Phoenix, where his family lives. It would take one hell of a deal to get Arizona to trade him and for Randy to waive his no trade clause, because you are essentially giving a team like the Yankee's a World Series if you trade him.

[ct2k]

I think he'll stay in Arizona, he's said he wants to and i doubt the D-backs will trade him unless they get made a ridiculous offer.

[BCWWF]

He still plans to play a few more seasons doesn't he?

[ct2k]

I reckon so and there's no reason for him to go elsewhere really, he has the world series ring, perfect game, all the k's, wins and cy youngs, what would he gain from a shift to the East coast?

[The Miz]

Imagine a Yanks-Red SOx ALCS with Johnson vs. Schiling :cool:

[ct2k]

40 strike outs and no hits into the 15th!

[The Outlaw]

I don't really see it happening.

[ct2k]

Yeah it'll be Brown vs Schilling

[Loose Cannon]

How much you guys wanna bet Johnson is a Yankee real soon. I said this before the season started. Yankes NEED pitching and they will get Johnson.

[ct2k]

We need pitching but Johnson isn't the one to go for being at the twighlight of his career and all. Kevin Brown isn't getting any younger, same with Mussina, maybe Freddy Garcia woulda been a good one to nab. Although he coulda gotten out at the end of the season so maybe not.

[stima]

I was readling in the Boston Hearld that Johnson has a house in Anehiem and that could factor into where he ends up going.

He has the power to block all trades so it would be intresting to see. Hearing Nomar could be sent packing, I don't know about that move. I don't get why everybody is so anti-Nomar. He's just getting back into the swing of things coming off of his injury and he is hitting .300 now. Nomar is still young too, its not like his career is coming to a close or anything.

[Loose Cannon]

It's not Nomer's numbers or playing that's being questioned though. I mean, I know he'll get back into the swing of things. Problem is, I don't think he wants to be in Boston any longer. I think he wants out.

[ct2k]

Trading Nomar would be a mistake for sure, especially as he has just started hittin the ball well again, anyway he was on the DL people need to give him a break!

[ct2k]

It's not Nomer's numbers or playing that's being questioned though. I mean, I know he'll get back into the swing of things. Problem is, I don't think he wants to be in Boston any longer. I think he wants out.

I thought the opposite :-\

[BCWWF]

Honestly, the Yankee's probably have the least chance of any of the teams in question of getting him, and the chance of any team getting him is like 1% now.

[VonErich Lives]

Johnson met w/ Garigiloa for an hour the other night, so the assumtion if it was simply "would you consider a trade" and johnson saying "No" then it wouldn't take an hour.

I can't see tha Yankees getting him, simply because they don't have the prospects.

Arizona would need 3 players, 2 could be young A or AA the 3rd has to be AAA or ready to pitch in the majors, to sell to the fans.

The rumor is the Sox could deal Youkillis, a minor league catcher (the Sox have 2 good prospects) and a minor league pitcher, I forget the name... but he's supposed to be a top pitching prospect who could pitch in the majors soon.

The "Beef" w/ Garigola and Steinbrenner is Garigola had a deal to sign Wells after the yanks had said they had no intrest and then last min Steinbrenner came in and signed him.

I don't know the issue between the Arizona owner and the Angels owner....

Could be interesting. W/ all the sox free agents, I'm not sure I'd want to giveup 3 young players for Johnson.

Although, a 4man rotation in the playoffs... Pedro, Schilling, Johnson and Wakefield.

[ct2k]

If Wakefield's knuckler was working well like it has recently that'd be a fuckin monstrous rotation

[DaveWadding]

I don't know the issue between the Arizona owner and the Angels owner....


Moreno (Halos owner) was a minority owner/partner in the D'Backs, he wanted to buy the team...they said no..he split and bought in Anaheim.

Also, Who says when you have a meeting that you only have to talk about the one thing? "How's life blah blah blah" all that could take an hour by itself.


Johnson isn't moving.

[YOUR Hero]

Settle down Dave.

[Jesus Shuttlesworth]

I don't know why everybody thinks Nomar wants out of Boston, I mean I think he was hurt by the rumors of his trade but I think he has already started to get over it.

Looking back I am glad the trade didn't happen, mostly because Manny has been so impressive this year. I really didn't like the trade all that much to begin with, I was excited I guess by getting A-Rod at 1st but thinking about it Manny + Nomar > A-Rod + Ordonez

[MoRcHeEbA]

I hope all the red sox fans get excited like they did for A-rod only to have all hopes and dreams crushed when the Yankees get him if he's traded.

[Jesus Shuttlesworth]

Why?

The Yanks don't have any players to trade to the D'Backs...but they do have tons of money so you never know.

[MoRcHeEbA]

I didn't actually mean you cause I knew you were never big on the other trade, but yash is gay

[Jesus Shuttlesworth]

Yash is a clown

[Jesus Shuttlesworth]

but don't take that out on Boston :rant:

[VonErich Lives]

The Reports today is Johnson said he'd like a trade to a contender, he wants another ring and more big games...

The word is also he wants to go to the Yanks, which will be interesting since the D'backs GM doesn't get along w/ the Yanks and the Yanks have the least prospects of the 3 teams.

The new twist that make things real interesting, is word out of Texas is Clemens is asking or ok'ing to be delt to a contender, which really makes no sense.

He retired, then agreed to pitch for Houston because his friend Pettite was there, he'd be close to home and on non-pitching days could stay home w/ family.

Now, where does Roger go? Back to NY where they blasted him after he signed w/ Houston? Anehiem? or what about back to Boston? The old regime is gone... he knows what it means to play in Boston and would mean to win a WS here...

Pedro, Schilling, Clemens....

I dunno, part of me doesn't want to deal all the prospects, especially w/ all the free agents we have this year... on the otherhand, are 2-3 "ok" seasons worth a WS... probably, plus I can't see this ownership not making moves every off-season.

[Adder]

Probably? a WS is what it's all about, and considereing Boston's history, they need a WS win over anything.

If Clemens is thinking of being traded, that's just stupid. Houston has a great team and could still make the playoffs. It won't be easy, but they have all the right tools to do it.

[The Miz]

lol wtf Clemens is a moron. Astros are out though.

I don't mean to sound like a Red Sox basher but it's hard for me to look at any deal they make seriously just because it seems like every year they add more and more players and still lose

[Gonzo]

I don't think Randy Johnson will move, simple as that, he has accomplished all he has wanted and has no need to move. On a side note, how bout them Mets?

[ct2k]

Second best team in New York is them!

[The Outlaw]

Clemens should stay in Houston.

[ct2k]

Houston would be truly, truly fucked if they lost Clemens

[Gonzo]

Second best team in New York is them!

Hey only a game back in the NL East. :y:

[BCWWF]

The Reports today is Johnson said he'd like a trade to a contender, he wants another ring and more big games...

The word is also he wants to go to the Yanks, which will be interesting since the D'backs GM doesn't get along w/ the Yanks and the Yanks have the least prospects of the 3 teams.

I've heard that he doesn't want to go to the East coast at all.

Anyway, I think most of this is just overblown. That Clemens BS, nope. Kent and Beltran maybe, but Clemens isn't going anywhere. I'm sure the trade deadline will come and go and leave us all dissapointed as usual.

[ct2k]

Houston have such a great line-up in terms of batting. Although Kent doesn't seem to be having as great a year as usual

[The Miz]

I think Houston realized a little too late that they are OLD

[ct2k]

Well if they can keep Beltran, Pettitte and Berkman they'll get a fair few good years out of them

[Gonzo]

http://mlb.mlb.com/NASApp/mlb/mlb/news/mlb_news.jsp?ymd=20040701&content_id=785431&vkey=news_mlb_nd&fext=.jsp

I suppose this changes things a little bit?

[Loose Cannon]

lol, there saying on ESPN that Steinbrener is going after not just Johnson, not just Clemens, but both. Ridiculous

[Gonzo]

Could have figured that, it is the Yankees after all.

[ct2k]

I'd rather Steinbrenner was going for young pitchers but meh, seeing Johnson in the pinstripes would be cool for a season or two

[ct2k]

Javier Vazquez is a strikeout machine:|

[BCWWF]

Beltran will probably be traded again, because he is a free agent after the season, so you might as well get some use out of him.

[ct2k]

I still don't see the sense in going after guys like Freddy Garcia and Beltran when they're free agents so soon, sure they MIGHT yield second half results but is one guy really gonna be enough if a team is struggle to keep over 500?

[BCWWF]

Thats why you don't see teams like the Reds or Padre's going after them. The teams that are really close to winning the division titles, White Sox/Astros, go after them. Its rediculous to say that those players wouldn't help at all.

[BCWWF]

ESPN.com

A source close to Randy Johnson says the Diamondbacks ace has told his team he would waive his no-trade clause to move on to a World Series contender, likely the Yankees, the New York Daily News reported in Friday's editions.


"When Randy got his 4,000th strikeout the other night and still came up a 3-2 loser, it was a very frustrating experience for him, and that's what convinced him that maybe he should look toward going to a contender," the source told the Daily News on Thursday night.


Randy Johnson
Starting Pitcher
Arizona Diamondbacks
Profile


2004 SEASON STATISTICS
GM W L Sv K ERA
18 10 6 0 139 2.90




The source told the newspaper that Johnson, a future Hall of Famer, has nothing left to prove, and that he would like to spend the remainder of his career on a winning team. The source said further that Johnson prefers the Yankees because they have the best chance of going to the World Series.


"There's been a lot of speculation that Randy wouldn't want to leave his home and pitch for an East Coast team that trains in Florida [in the spring]," another source told the Daily News. "That's not true. At this point, his sole purpose for pitching is to be with a team with a chance to win. And even though the Diamondbacks are his home, they can't provide that."


The Los Angeles Times also reported on Friday that Anaheim has expressed interest in the Big Unit. Though the Cubs and the Dodgers have also been mentioned as possible suitors if Johnson goes on the market, the Angels told the paper they would pursue him vigorously.


While the Yankees have discussed pursuing Johnson, the team has only heard that Arizona general partner Jerry Colangelo refuses to part with his five-time Cy Young winner. That may change, however, since the Diamondbacks are in considerable financial straits and still owe Johnson $24 million for this year and next, according to the Daily News.


Also, Yankees principal owner George Steinbrenner's public comments about pursuing Johnson have come under review by Commissioner Bud Selig's office. Steinbrenner had told Sporting News Radio that he'd love to have Johnson, and that the team was working on it. However, the Yankees seemed surprised by reports that Johnson had instigated trade talks with the Diamondbacks.


"This is the first we've heard of anything like this," a high-ranking Yankee official told the paper. "We don't know anything about it."


Johnson is 10-6 on the season so far, with a 2.90 ERA. On May 18, Johnson pitched a perfect game against the Atlanta Braves, and on June 29 the one-time World Series co-MVP threw his 4,000th strikeout (against the Padres), becoming only the fourth pitcher in major league history to do so.

----------------------------------------------------

To me I ruled that as not credible as soon as I saw that it was from a New York news agency.

[Jesus Shuttlesworth]

Yankees won't get Clemens......that is just a ridiculous statement

But they could get Randy Johnson :mad:

[The Outlaw]

Thats why you don't see teams like the Reds or Padre's going after them. The teams that are really close to winning the division titles, White Sox/Astros, go after them. Its rediculous to say that those players wouldn't help at all.

Reds - 7.5 games back, .5 games from second place

Padres - 1.0 game back

[BCWWF]

Bad examples I guess, but the Reds have no chance of taking the central over Chicago and St. Louis and its unlikely the Padres overcome the Giants. There are so many teams technically "in the running" that its hard to pick a good example, I guess the Red Sox would have worked? ZING

[The Outlaw]

LOL

[Jesus Shuttlesworth]

If Aroyo pitches every game like he pitched tonight then I wouldnt even be worrying about the Yanks gettin the Big Unit

But I don't think that is gonna happen :-\

[ct2k]

Thats why you don't see teams like the Reds or Padre's going after them. The teams that are really close to winning the division titles, White Sox/Astros, go after them. Its rediculous to say that those players wouldn't help at all.

I wasn't claiming they'd make no difference, i just dunno if one player is gonna be enough for a team like Houston to get back from a 9.5 game lead in such a competative division.

Chicago on the other hand, i guess getting Garcia was a good move, for this season anyway, but they need to go after long term pitching prospects too as there's no garauntee he'll be there come next spring.

[ct2k]

If Aroyo pitches every game like he pitched tonight then I wouldnt even be worrying about the Yanks gettin the Big Unit

But I don't think that is gonna happen :-\

He absolutely shut the Rangers down:|

And how hot is Johnny Damon right now?!

[DaveWadding]

Chicago on the other hand, i guess getting Garcia was a good move, for this season anyway, but they need to go after long term pitching prospects too as there's no garauntee he'll be there come next spring.
Yes, there is a guarantee, as he already signed a long term deal with them (the Sox)

[ct2k]

Ah, my bad, i thought he was still up for free-agency

[DaveWadding]

Nope, his fiance is Guillen's (Sox manager's) niece, so they got a deal done right quick.

[Jesus Shuttlesworth]

I thought the D'Backs would prospects back in the trade? Something that NY has NOTHING off, unless they send off some of their young pitching that is already in the bigs

[YOUR Hero]

Garcia signed a new 3 year deal with the Sox.

Althought the Astros are 91/2 games ouf of 1st place, they are only 21/2 games behind in the wildcard race.

[BCWWF]

I read Gammons too!

[VonErich Lives]

Garcia signed a new 3 year deal with the Sox.

Althought the Astros are 91/2 games ouf of 1st place, they are only 21/2 games behind in the wildcard race.

See, the wild card is a key... get in w/ some hot bats and a strong 3man rotation, 4 woud be great, and rarely does a team in a WS use 5men.

Red Sox bats are on fire right now, let's see if it stays after the all-star break.

[BCWWF]

I forget where I read it, but Wild card teams have done better in the playoffs than division winners, generally

[MoRcHeEbA]

yea the wild card always works well for boston

[Jesus Shuttlesworth]

You act like the Sox win the Wildcard a lot or something, they won the Wildcard last season for hte 1st time in a while and where 5 outs away from the World Series

Worked out pretty well...hopefully works out better this season

[DaveWadding]

From ESPN.com:

Source says Johnson eyeing Yankees<NOSCRIPT>Source said Johnson eyeing Yankees

</NOSCRIPT><!-- END HEADLINE SWF FILE -->

Associated Press
<!-- template inline -->SAN FRANCISCO -- Randy Johnson (http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/players/profile?statsId=4288)'s future remained uncertain Friday night, with his agent and the Yankees downplaying a report that the Arizona ace could soon be traded to New York.



And the five-time Cy Young Award winner has no interest in participating in the speculation.



<!--------------------------START PLAYER CARD------------------><TABLE cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=0 align=right border=0 vspace="5" hspace="5"><TBODY><TR vAlign=top><TD width=8></TD><TD width=200 bgColor=#ecece4><!---------------------HEADSHOT TABLE STARTS HERE---------------------><TABLE cellSpacing=6 cellPadding=0 border=0><TBODY><TR vAlign=top><TD colSpan=2>Randy Johnson (http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/players/profile?statsId=4288)
Starting Pitcher
Arizona Diamondbacks</TD><TD width=65 rowSpan=2>http://espn.go.com/i/mlb/profiles/players/4288.jpg</TD></TR><TR vAlign=top><TD width=67>Profile (http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/players/profile?statsId=4288)
</TD><TD width=68></TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE><!---------------------HEADSHOT TABLE ENDS HERE---------------------></TD></TR><TR vAlign=top><TD width=8></TD><TD width=200 bgColor=#ecece4><TABLE cellSpacing=4 cellPadding=0 border=0><TBODY><TR><TD><TABLE cellSpacing=1 cellPadding=0 width=190 border=0><TBODY><TR vAlign=top align=middle bgColor=#002175><TD colSpan=6><CENTER>2004 SEASON STATISTICS</CENTER></TD></TR><TR align=right bgColor=#bcbcb4><TD width="17%">GM</TD><TD width="17%">W</TD><TD width="17%">L</TD><TD width="17%">Sv</TD><TD width="17%">K</TD><TD width="17%">ERA</TD></TR><TR align=right bgColor=#bcbcb4><TD>18</TD><TD>10</TD><TD>6</TD><TD>0</TD><TD>139</TD><TD>2.90</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE></TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE></TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE><!---------------------INLINE MINI-PLAYER CARD ENDS HERE--------------------->



"I'm not going to comment on any of that stuff," Johnson said after taking the loss in San Francisco's 8-3 victory over the Diamondbacks. "Eventually, I will just stop talking to the press.



"I haven't been approached by the Diamondbacks yet. They don't have a trade in place yet. I haven't been asked to waive my no-trade clause. Don't ask again, and that's the nicest way I will ask."



Yankees general manager Brian Cashman spoke to the Diamondbacks earlier this week and was told Johnson was not available, one New York official said on the condition of anonymity.



In addition, Johnson's agent discounted the rumor. The Big Unit has a no-trade clause in his contract, which extends through 2005.



"No one has asked us to waive the no-trade," Barry Meister said. "There are no trade discussions going on. I think it's just pathetic by the media."



The New York Daily News quoted an anonymous source close to Johnson who said the 40-year-old left-hander would waive his no-trade clause to move from the last-place Diamondbacks to a contender -- possibly the Yankees, who have openly coveted baseball's best strikeout pitcher.



Arizona general manager Joe Garagiola Jr. previously has said he wants to keep Johnson, a Bay Area native who lives in the Phoenix area year-round.



"(The media) had me going to San Francisco, because I grew up there," Johnson said. "Then it was Anaheim, because I have a home there. Write something that's true. If it happens, it happens."



Johnson was 10-6 with a 2.90 ERA entering his start against the Giants. The five-time Cy Young Award winner earned his 10th trip to the All-Star game last week, but the Diamondbacks have been one of baseball's worst teams this season.



He threw a perfect game earlier this season against the Atlanta Braves. Johnson also got his 4,000th strikeout last month against San Diego, becoming just the fourth pitcher to reach the milestone.



Johnson pitched only five innings against the Giants on Friday night and left trailing 6-3. He allowed six hits and three walks, striking out six -- but San Francisco jumped ahead when Luis Gonzalez dropped Edgardo Alfonzo's bases-loaded liner to left in the fifth. Three runs eventually scored.

[The Outlaw]

Pretty sad that he had a 2.90 ERA and was 10-6.

[VonErich Lives]

Johnson is NOT N - O - T BEING TRADED.

ok, So far looks like Dave had this one, but not because they didn't try.

I also wouldn't be shocked if they have RJ clear waivers for a possible deal later in the season.

[ct2k]

He's now 10-9 with an era of like 2.70, that shows how much the Dbacks have sucked this year

[DaveWadding]

and it's not looking any better....any time in the forseeable future.

[ct2k]

If he wants 300 he's gonna have to move:-\

[ct2k]

It gets worse, Brandom Webb is 4-12 with a 3.59 era, that's terrible! He's now 14-21 3.17 era in his 2 year career and he doesn't give up a whole lotta hits...Arizona = worst team in baseball?

[DaveWadding]

it's not even a question.

[ct2k]

So when dya think Gonzo will go?

[DaveWadding]

I doubt he will. but he's done after today's game.