big unit awaiting word on trades

[thedoctor]

from ap:

 

FOUNTAIN HILLS, Ariz. (AP) — Randy Johnson is waiting for the Arizona Diamondbacks to come to him with specific trade possibilities, with his only firm stipulation being that the new team be a contender, one of his agents said on Friday.

Johnson returned this week from a tour of Japan by major league players for his annual Randy Johnson Invitational golf tournament to benefit the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation of Arizona. But Johnson wouldn’t talk about any baseball issues, referring all questions to agent Alan Nero, who also was at the tournament.

“Most of Randy’s desire to leave is not because he doesn’t want to be a Diamondback,” Nero said. “It’s because at this stage of his career he’s got some milestones that he’d like to achieve and he’s a competitor. It’s hard to work as hard as you work at age 40 (actually 41) and come to the yard and not feel like you have the very best possibility of competing.”

Johnson will earn $16 million next season, the final year of his contract with Arizona, and the Diamondbacks are listening to offers. The New York Yankees head the list of teams with interest, but the Anaheim Angels and Chicago White Sox also could be possibilities. Johnson has the right to veto any trade.

“The bottom line is he is a Diamondback, he’s under contract,” the agent said. “If what’s best for the Diamondbacks is they decide he won’t be traded, he’s a very honorable guy. This is home. He will live up to his contract and at the end of the year he will be a free agent.”

Johnson won Cy Young Awards in his first four seasons with Arizona and was second to Roger Clemens in Cy Young voting this year, even though Johnson was on a club that lost 111 games, tied for 10th-most in baseball history.

In many aspects, it was the Big Unit’s most impressive season.

Coming off knee surgery, Johnson was 16-14, but the team scored three or fewer runs for him in all but one of those losses. He was 13-2 when the Diamondbacks scored more than two runs. Johnson was second in the majors with a 2.60 ERA and led the majors in strikeouts at 290. Along the way, he pitched a perfect game, passed 4,000 strikeouts and passed Steve Carlton to become the most prolific left-handed strikeout pitcher in baseball history. He ranks No. 3 on the strikeout list behind Nolan Ryan and Clemens.

Johnson had his best seasons with Arizona and lives in Paradise Valley, a 20-minute drive to Bank One Ballpark, but he wants to end his career with a top team.

General manager Joe Garagiola Jr., who did not return telephone messages on Friday, held a telephone conference call with Johnson’s agents on Wednesday to talk about the situation.

A trade seems to make sense for a team in transition. The Diamondbacks could rid themselves of a huge contract and get some young talent in return. The situation is far from adversarial, Nero said.

“No one’s a culprit. No one’s trying to do anything to hurt anyone,” Nero said. “It’s not Randy turning his back on the team. It’s not the team turning its back on him. It’s determining what’s best for everybody and trying to make it a win-win for everybody. That’s what it’s about and I trust Joe is going to make every attempt to do that.”

Johnson would prefer any trade be completed before the start of next season, rather than have him endure the constant speculation that dogged him throughout the 2003 season. But even that is not a steadfast demand, Nero said.

“There’s no real hurry,” the agent said. “Everybody likes to know where they’re going and we all want closure. But there’s no present deadline that’s been imposed on anyone. The only real deadline there is the July trade deadline.”

Still, Nero said, Johnson doesn’t want another season of constant trade speculation. The most logical time for a deal, he said, would be the winter meetings in December.

[EvilJester99]

The Sox have too many question marks to be considered contenders I think... I can't see RJ wanting to come to a team with some many questions.

[WHarris1]

Yeah, I agree, I don't see RJ wanting to come here.

[witesoxfan]

Why wouldn't he? He can always demand a trade at the ASB if we are tanking it, and we can honor his request and get a ton of value for him in return.

 

He might look at how we have been close the past couple years, and think he might push us over the top. He might see a weak division where the top team is going to get weaker(already lost their starting SS and will likely lose their starting 3Bman and their #2 starter). Hell, he might push for KW to go get Kendall, and if we got Unit, Kendall would look at the Sox and see a much more attractive team.

 

There's a lot of possibilities still. I wouldn't mind RJ one bit.

[Chisoxfn]

The more I think of it, I think Mario is kind of right. Like I've said I'd rather give them Munoz or Diaz, I feel more comfortable giving up one of them then I do Anderson cause I think he's gonna be a good one, although right now IT hink the Sox have him over-rated in terms of readiness.

 

He had a hot streak in Bham, but in general I think some more time in AA would do wonders for him. I don't think he's as advanced as some of the reports say he is.

 

As far as the deal though, I got a feeling Anderson would be the one to go, but I do expect Kenny to get someone back and I'd have to think either Brito or Koyie Hill to be a part of the deal. I'd lean on Brito since it seems like the Dbacks have good size expectations on Hill.

 

Only thing I know about Brito is that Mark Grace would gush over this guy during telecasts but it seemed that the Dbacks kind of gave up on him.

[AnthraxFan93]

Yeah, I agree, I don't see RJ wanting to come here.

I agree.. we have to many question marks.. Let hope that we can get a 3 way deal and at least get Vazquez

[MinnesotaSoxFan]

I agree.. we have to many question marks.. Let hope that we can get a 3 way deal and at least get Vazquez

my, my, my...

aren't we a busy poster!

200 posts in 3 days!!!

SS2k4 better be shaking in his boots for most posts in a day.

[AnthraxFan93]

my, my, my...

aren't we a busy poster!

200 posts in 3 days!!!

SS2k4 better be shaking in his boots for most posts in a day.

Yeah well it been slow at work!

[Flash Tizzle]

Why wouldn't he?  He can always demand a trade at the ASB if we are tanking it, and we can honor his request and get a ton of value for him in return.

 

He might look at how we have been close the past couple years, and think he might push us over the top.  He might see a weak division where the top team is going to get weaker(already lost their starting SS and will likely lose their starting 3Bman and their #2 starter).  Hell, he might push for KW to go get Kendall, and if we got Unit, Kendall would look at the Sox and see a much more attractive team.

 

There's a lot of possibilities still.  I wouldn't mind RJ one bit.

Or, instead of pushing the White Sox over the top, he can join the Yankees/Angels/Cardinals and join legitimate contenders. There's a chance Johnson may have the competitive urge to dominate weak ALC opponents, but we're talking about a pitcher who wants the BEST opportunity to win. Kool Aid aside, nothing (besides mediocrity) is guaranteed year-to-year with the White Sox.

 

Besides, all accounts indicate a combination of Garland-Konerko would be used to acquire Johnson. Who is traded for Kendall if Pittsburgh had expressed interest with both players?

[thedoctor]

i haven't read anything one way or another, but i'd be interested if rj wants the team he goes to to agree to a contract extension before being traded.

[striker]

We all know Reinsdorf has money. I think if we get Johnson JR might pull some money out of his butt and really put together a contender. This is the same guy that spent $30million/year for Jordan & $10million/year for Belle. I just don't think he is stupid enough to just spend money and expect to win (reference to the Rangers/Mets).

[mmmmmbeeer]

i haven't read anything one way or another, but i'd be interested if rj wants the team he goes to to agree to a contract extension before being traded.

I remember reading a couple of weeks ago that any trade involving RJ would have to include atleast a 1yr extension to his deal. I wish I had a source for you but I don't.

[AngelasDaddy0427]

Johnson is a mistake.

It's an excuse to increase ticket sales while making us worse secretly. We give up Garland and half our offense. End up with Grilli who will lose about 8 in a row until Ozzie wakes up and brings up to cavalcade of nobodies. We will end up in second place, again. Of course all this could be avoid if we just signed a free agent for 7-8 Mil a year instead of the 16 RJ would cost for the same amount of wins without having to give up Garland (Which ruins any chance of having the best 1-5 in baseball). I can just pray that RJ doesn't want to come here anyway

[CWSGuy406]

Johnson is a mistake.

It's an excuse to increase ticket sales while making us worse secretly. We give up Garland and half our offense. End up with Grilli who will lose about 8 in a row until Ozzie wakes up and brings up to cavalcade of nobodies. We will end up in second place, again. Of course all this could be avoid if we just signed a free agent for 7-8 Mil a year instead of the 16 RJ would cost for the same amount of wins without having to give up Garland (Which ruins any chance of having the best 1-5 in baseball). I can just pray that RJ doesn't want to come here anyway

No.

 

You're just mad that because if we dealt for Johnson, we'd lose your boy Garland (and it's so obvious at this point that you probably wouldn't trade Garland for anyone in the majors).

 

And Konerko is not equal to half of our offense. I'd venture to say that Gload would, in the end, provide the same production as Konerko (less homers, less RBI's, but most likely a higher average, more doubles, even OPS).

 

 

Like I said in another thread -- if the offer is just Garland/Konerko for Johnson, you HAVE to do it. Have to.

[qwerty]

No.

 

You're just mad that because if we dealt for Johnson, we'd lose your boy Garland (and it's so obvious at this point that you probably wouldn't trade Garland for anyone in the majors).

 

And Konerko is not equal to half of our offense.  I'd venture to say that Gload would, in the end, provide the same production as Konerko (less homers, less RBI's, but most likely a higher average, more doubles, even OPS).

 

 

Like I said in another thread -- if the offer is just Garland/Konerko for Johnson, you HAVE to do it.  Have to.

Come on admit it is.

 

Garland>>>>>>>> pujols.

[thomsonmi]

Well, here's a reaon for RJ to come here. He despises Curt Schilling, Shilling moved to Boston and helped them win the big one. RJ if he was looking for a challenge, and a realistic one, would join us and help us climb the mountain that Schilling and the Red Sox climbed.

 

It's not all that unrealistic. With Freddy, Mark, and Jose RJ may see an incredible pitching staff in the making. And, one way or another KW will sign a big time player to replace Maggs (I'm still hoping for Renteria) and with that this team is closer than the pessimists who rule this site recognize.

[santo=dorf]

Johnson is a mistake.

It's an excuse to increase ticket sales while making us worse secretly. We give up Garland and half our offense. End up with Grilli who will lose about 8 in a row until Ozzie wakes up and brings up to cavalcade of nobodies. We will end up in second place, again. Of course all this could be avoid if we just signed a free agent for 7-8 Mil a year instead of the 16 RJ would cost for the same amount of wins without having to give up Garland (Which ruins any chance of having the best 1-5 in baseball). I can just pray that RJ doesn't want to come here anyway

:dips***

Konerko is half of our offense?? :headshake

[thomsonmi]

Johnson is a mistake.

It's an excuse to increase ticket sales while making us worse secretly. We give up Garland and half our offense. End up with Grilli who will lose about 8 in a row until Ozzie wakes up and brings up to cavalcade of nobodies. We will end up in second place, again. Of course all this could be avoid if we just signed a free agent for 7-8 Mil a year instead of the 16 RJ would cost for the same amount of wins without having to give up Garland (Which ruins any chance of having the best 1-5 in baseball). I can just pray that RJ doesn't want to come here anyway

I try and I try to understand where you're coming from but frankly your views always piss me off.

[whitesox91403]

Well, here's a reaon for RJ to come here.  He despises Curt Schilling, Shilling moved to Boston and helped them win the big one.  RJ if he was looking for a challenge, and a realistic one, would join us and help us climb the mountain that Schilling and the Red Sox climbed.

 

It's not all that unrealistic.  With Freddy, Mark, and Jose RJ may see an incredible pitching staff in the making.  And, one way or another KW will sign a big time player to replace Maggs (I'm still hoping for Renteria) and with that this team is closer than the pessimists who rule this site recognize.

I hope your right. I hope everyday that he says yes to The White Sox and a trade is done. God, how I pray for this. Please, RJ, accept the Sox and come to The South Side.

[witesoxfan]

Johnson is a mistake.

It's an excuse to increase ticket sales while making us worse secretly. We give up Garland and half our offense. End up with Grilli who will lose about 8 in a row until Ozzie wakes up and brings up to cavalcade of nobodies. We will end up in second place, again. Of course all this could be avoid if we just signed a free agent for 7-8 Mil a year instead of the 16 RJ would cost for the same amount of wins without having to give up Garland (Which ruins any chance of having the best 1-5 in baseball). I can just pray that RJ doesn't want to come here anyway

Or we could sign Ismael Valdes, Glendon Rusch, Matt Kinney, hell, even Paul Byrd, to be our #5 starter, and then our rotation from 1-5 is very solid. That costs us, what, an extra $2 mill?

 

If the Sox got Johnson, I would have to imagine that JR would realize we are going for it all and would make a minor signing like that.

[chisox05]

I hope your right. I hope everyday that he says yes to The White Sox and a trade is done. God, how I pray for this. Please, RJ, accept the Sox and come to The South Side.

He would be my frickin' hero and I will personally put a huge picture of him in my bedroom and pray to God Johnson every single day.

[whitesox91403]

He would be my frickin' hero and I will personally put a huge picture of him in my bedroom and pray to God Johnson every single day.

I will do the same.

 

[AngelasDaddy0427]

Likewise it's hard for me to understand where you guys are coming from?

Are we going to spend any decent amount of money? No way in hell (Sadly).

Lets say we sign RJ, give up Garland, Konerko, and some other offensive player and prospect (Arizona doesn't want just Konerko).

We have to pay RJ 16 Mil a year. Thats our budget. All of it. No bullpen improvment. No more offense improvment. That leaves Grilli in the rotation who I would venture to say if we gave him all year if might have 2 wins maybe. The best case scenario would be 16 Wins and even that if doubtful. That also leaves fat ass Carl in RF. And who the hell becomes the new Ross Gload off the bench if he's at 1B.

Now lets say we got hurt. Thats 16 Mil we are spending for a 40+ year old pitcher to sit on the bench. While this we would have a rotation that had Diaz and Grilll :puke.

I am in no way Garlands boy. I'm just not stupid enough to think we could get someone better for the money he's making. It's about money and some of us fans realize that we are a small market team.

If we had the Yankees pay roll then I would say go for it. If we even had the god damn cubs payroll i'd say go for it. With our pay roll. NO WAY IN HELL! Too much of a gamble.

[AngelasDaddy0427]

Also I am totally in favor of a trade of Garland to the pirates for Kendall if it means we get Kip Wells or another decent major league pitcher in return. He might not be as solid or have as good a chance of having a 200 IP year but at least we would have a decent #5 back and it would give us Kendall (who would be way more important to this team then Johnson would ever be).

[LosMediasBlancas]

Or we could sign Ismael Valdes, Glendon Rusch, Matt Kinney, hell, even Paul Byrd, to be our #5 starter, and then our rotation from 1-5 is very solid.  That costs us, what, an extra $2 mill?

 

If the Sox got Johnson, I would have to imagine that JR would realize we are going for it all and would make a minor signing like that.

Hendry signed Rush yesterday for 2 years/4 mil.