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**BCWWF** · 07-10-2004, 12:47 AM

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.

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

07-10-2004, 12:47 AM	#49
BCWWF The People's Member Posts: 18,092	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.