Sox ready for Randy: Sources: Club's sights set squarely on Johnson
By Tony Massarotti/ Baseball
Thursday, July 8, 2004
As we learned from the Alex Rodriguez saga, what you want and what you get are two entirely different things. But as the July 31 trading deadline approaches, the Red Sox [stats, schedule] are among a handful of teams paying very close attention to the crown jewel of this dealing season.
His name is Randy Johnson.
Over the past few days, baseball sources have indicated that the Sox are among a handful of teams intent on making a serious pitch for Johnson if and when he is traded from the Arizona Diamondbacks. Other teams are believed to include the Anaheim Angels and, of course, the New York Yankees [stats, schedule], each of whom may have advantages over the Sox in a potential bidding war.
Sox officials declined to answer any questions on Johnson, citing Major League Baseball's rules on tampering.
For the Sox, the obvious appeal for Johnson would be in joining a Red Sox staff that already features Pedro Martinez [stats, news] and Curt Schilling [stats, news], the latter of whom teamed up with Johnson to deliver the 2001 World Series to Arizona. A rotation of Johnson, Schilling and Martinez would give the Red Sox one the great threesomes in baseball history, even with each man no longer in the prime of his career.
Can it be done? Perhaps, though there are obvious obstacles to the deal. While the Diamondbacks thus far have given no indication that they will trade the 40-year-old Johnson, who is signed through next season, the pitcher has the right to block any trade. One of the primary reasons Johnson signed with the Diamondbacks prior to the 1999 season is because he wanted to stay in the Southwest, where he makes his offseason home.
That said, sources familiar with Johnson indicated the 6-foot-10, 231-pound left-hander might be more inclined to go to Anaheim because he already owns a home in nearby Newport Beach. The Yankees have the obvious advantage of a virtually unlimited cash supply, which could be of value if the Yankees had to absorb a contract in order to land Johnson.
As for the Sox, they have more prospects than the Yankees. The Diamondbacks are reportedly seeking prospects at pitcher and catcher, the latter of which could be filled by Kelly Shoppach at Triple-A Pawtucket. The Sox also might be inclined to send Arizona someone like Double-A pitcher Abe Alvarez.
But the Sox would have other obstacles, too.
Currently in the first year of a two-year, $33 million contract extension that he signed prior to last season, Johnson is being paid $16.5 million this year and is due an additional $16.5 million in 2005. Because the Sox do not have the financial freedom of a team like the Yankees - who does? - obtaining Johnson might require the team to move a contract this season while simultaneously prohibiting the club from retaining one or more of its key free agents after this season.
One possible scenario might involve the Sox trading Nomar Garciaparra [stats, news] for prospects, who would then be dealt to the Diamondbacks for Johnson in a three-team deal. The Sox could then play Pokey Reese [stats, news] at shortstop and Mark Bellhorn [stats, news] at second base, though they would sacrifice the offense of Garciaparra.
But given the talents of Johnson, not to mention the continued struggles of Derek Lowe [stats, news], the Sox would benefit from a huge upgrade on the pitching staff. The possessor of a career 240-120 record (a winning percentage of .667), Johnson is 10-6 with a 2.90 ERA and major league-leading 139 strikeouts this season. Johnson, who turns 41 on Sept. 10, recently became just the fourth player in major league history to eclipse 4,000 career strikeouts, joining Nolan Ryan, Steve Carlton and Roger Clemens, and threw a perfect game against the Atlanta Braves [stats, schedule] earlier this season.
The Big Unit in Boston?
It may be a longshot.
But as this Red Sox administration demonstrated in its pursuit of A-Rod, team officials are unafraid of aiming high and thinking big.
By Tony Massarotti/ Baseball
Thursday, July 8, 2004
As we learned from the Alex Rodriguez saga, what you want and what you get are two entirely different things. But as the July 31 trading deadline approaches, the Red Sox [stats, schedule] are among a handful of teams paying very close attention to the crown jewel of this dealing season.
His name is Randy Johnson.
Over the past few days, baseball sources have indicated that the Sox are among a handful of teams intent on making a serious pitch for Johnson if and when he is traded from the Arizona Diamondbacks. Other teams are believed to include the Anaheim Angels and, of course, the New York Yankees [stats, schedule], each of whom may have advantages over the Sox in a potential bidding war.
Sox officials declined to answer any questions on Johnson, citing Major League Baseball's rules on tampering.
For the Sox, the obvious appeal for Johnson would be in joining a Red Sox staff that already features Pedro Martinez [stats, news] and Curt Schilling [stats, news], the latter of whom teamed up with Johnson to deliver the 2001 World Series to Arizona. A rotation of Johnson, Schilling and Martinez would give the Red Sox one the great threesomes in baseball history, even with each man no longer in the prime of his career.
Can it be done? Perhaps, though there are obvious obstacles to the deal. While the Diamondbacks thus far have given no indication that they will trade the 40-year-old Johnson, who is signed through next season, the pitcher has the right to block any trade. One of the primary reasons Johnson signed with the Diamondbacks prior to the 1999 season is because he wanted to stay in the Southwest, where he makes his offseason home.
That said, sources familiar with Johnson indicated the 6-foot-10, 231-pound left-hander might be more inclined to go to Anaheim because he already owns a home in nearby Newport Beach. The Yankees have the obvious advantage of a virtually unlimited cash supply, which could be of value if the Yankees had to absorb a contract in order to land Johnson.
As for the Sox, they have more prospects than the Yankees. The Diamondbacks are reportedly seeking prospects at pitcher and catcher, the latter of which could be filled by Kelly Shoppach at Triple-A Pawtucket. The Sox also might be inclined to send Arizona someone like Double-A pitcher Abe Alvarez.
But the Sox would have other obstacles, too.
Currently in the first year of a two-year, $33 million contract extension that he signed prior to last season, Johnson is being paid $16.5 million this year and is due an additional $16.5 million in 2005. Because the Sox do not have the financial freedom of a team like the Yankees - who does? - obtaining Johnson might require the team to move a contract this season while simultaneously prohibiting the club from retaining one or more of its key free agents after this season.
One possible scenario might involve the Sox trading Nomar Garciaparra [stats, news] for prospects, who would then be dealt to the Diamondbacks for Johnson in a three-team deal. The Sox could then play Pokey Reese [stats, news] at shortstop and Mark Bellhorn [stats, news] at second base, though they would sacrifice the offense of Garciaparra.
But given the talents of Johnson, not to mention the continued struggles of Derek Lowe [stats, news], the Sox would benefit from a huge upgrade on the pitching staff. The possessor of a career 240-120 record (a winning percentage of .667), Johnson is 10-6 with a 2.90 ERA and major league-leading 139 strikeouts this season. Johnson, who turns 41 on Sept. 10, recently became just the fourth player in major league history to eclipse 4,000 career strikeouts, joining Nolan Ryan, Steve Carlton and Roger Clemens, and threw a perfect game against the Atlanta Braves [stats, schedule] earlier this season.
The Big Unit in Boston?
It may be a longshot.
But as this Red Sox administration demonstrated in its pursuit of A-Rod, team officials are unafraid of aiming high and thinking big.
the yanks wont get big unit. the sox by far have a better shot. the AZ orginazation (pretty much like the rest of MLB) hates the yankees.
look at the shill deal. Jerry wanted the farm for shill when it came to NYY. But when it came to Boston, it was a very reasonable deal, it was an almost near steal.
look at the shill deal. Jerry wanted the farm for shill when it came to NYY. But when it came to Boston, it was a very reasonable deal, it was an almost near steal.
<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><font size="-1">quote:</font><HR>I say nomar for the big unit <HR></BLOCKQUOTE>I would have said the same a week ago, but not so fast. after the last few days I think were finnaly seeing what we want, and the offensive juggernaut of '03 is back. with Ortiz at DH and Muellar hitting 8th this is it. this is the team that will avg. over 7 runs a game.
theyre talking about dealing youkalis and kim and some other player
theyre talking about dealing youkalis and kim and some other player
<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><font size="-1">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by gambler1:
Dreaming of a "deal" and closing "the deal" is what will always be the "sour grapes" difference between the Yankees and Beanboys.
[This message was edited by FISHHEAD on July 08, 2004 at 12:08 PM.]<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>
Really?
Thanks for not wanting MANNY and CURT then.
Dreaming of a "deal" and closing "the deal" is what will always be the "sour grapes" difference between the Yankees and Beanboys.
[This message was edited by FISHHEAD on July 08, 2004 at 12:08 PM.]<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>
Really?
Thanks for not wanting MANNY and CURT then.
Funkman
I hate to always seem at odds with you - but Your comments to me feed more into my point than yours...
Nomar is doing better since he has warmed up here and now is the time to get rid of him while he still has value.
Think about it - every single year he either goes into a half-year slump or is injured for half of the season (give or take a few weeks)
The team has the defense they need at short in pokey who is far superior as a SS than nomar, and filling the gap at second base with bellhorn or someone else who is slightly more consistent cant be that bad of an option given the prospect of getting the big unit added to this woeful pitching staff after pedro and Schilling.
Dont get me wrong wakefiled is great - and though lowe has done ok as a starter overall Ive been saying off and on for a while now that I think he is better suited over the long term in the BP, but after that what is there?
Arroyo is a lost cause IMO and Im sure you as well as I think kim is outta here as soon as possible...
so we need a number 3 - and why not have it be the big unit even if he has only a year left?
I hate to always seem at odds with you - but Your comments to me feed more into my point than yours...
Nomar is doing better since he has warmed up here and now is the time to get rid of him while he still has value.
Think about it - every single year he either goes into a half-year slump or is injured for half of the season (give or take a few weeks)
The team has the defense they need at short in pokey who is far superior as a SS than nomar, and filling the gap at second base with bellhorn or someone else who is slightly more consistent cant be that bad of an option given the prospect of getting the big unit added to this woeful pitching staff after pedro and Schilling.
Dont get me wrong wakefiled is great - and though lowe has done ok as a starter overall Ive been saying off and on for a while now that I think he is better suited over the long term in the BP, but after that what is there?
Arroyo is a lost cause IMO and Im sure you as well as I think kim is outta here as soon as possible...
so we need a number 3 - and why not have it be the big unit even if he has only a year left?
<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><font size="-1">quote:</font><HR>Funkman
I hate to always seem at odds with you - but Your comments to me feed more into my point than yours... <HR></BLOCKQUOTE>you make a lot of great points Jay. theres probably dozens and dozens of scenarios the sox could explore with shopach, youkalis, nomar and others. team chemistry plays a concern. all i ask is if pokey goes to short again leave ortiz at DH and muellar at 8/9 spot damn it all
I hate to always seem at odds with you - but Your comments to me feed more into my point than yours... <HR></BLOCKQUOTE>you make a lot of great points Jay. theres probably dozens and dozens of scenarios the sox could explore with shopach, youkalis, nomar and others. team chemistry plays a concern. all i ask is if pokey goes to short again leave ortiz at DH and muellar at 8/9 spot damn it all
