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D-Backs break off talks w/ Yanks....
Padres, Giants left in hunt for Big Unit
Arizona ace won't go to Yanks, but Cubs' wild-card aspirations could take a major hit
July 30, 2004
George Steinbrenner isn't going to be able to buy himself a new toy this time. The Arizona Diamondbacks, to the delight of 28 other teams, have broken off talks with the New York Yankees, according to a highly placed Major League Baseball source.
But that doesn't necessarily mean Johnson plans to stay put with the Diamondbacks, who set a franchise record with 20 losses in May and already have broken it with 21 in July.
San Diego, along with Los Angeles, also is a favorite to acquire Steve Finley from Arizona. It was the Arizona center fielder who sparked an interesting conversation between Johnson and Padres infielder Mark Loretta at the All-Star Game.
"He brought up Steve Finley to me," Loretta told the San Diego Union-Tribune. "He said, `So, are you guys going to get Finley?' I said, `You probably know more than I do. I have no idea.' I said, `What about you?'
"He said, `Well, I have a year and a half to go on my contract. I feel like I'm pitching as well as I ever have, and I feel like I can go somewhere and contribute to a winning team."'
Loretta said he asked Johnson how he would feel about coming to San Diego.
"He said, `I'd love that,"' Loretta said. "`I think that ballpark's great for pitchers, and you guys have a nice team.' He said, `If it came down to it and they asked me to waive my no-trade, I would.'"
So much for those reports that Johnson would approve a trade only to the Yankees.
San Diego leads San Francisco and the Cubs by two games in the wild-card standings.
The Giants' primary need now is for a closer, but they have been monitoring the Johnson negotiations closely. He's a Bay Area native who would seem a good fit for the Giants' park.
Owner Peter Magowan isn't known for spending, but he wants to get back to the World Series before Barry Bonds is done. Sources indicated the Giants were working to trade Ray Durham or Edgardo Alfonzo, which might make it easier to pay Johnson, who is to earn $16 million this year and in 2005.
Bonds has pushed management to get serious about a deal for Johnson.
Teams never like to trade within their division, but it's unlikely the Diamondbacks can contend next season, with or without Johnson. That's why Arizona general manager Joe Garagiola Jr. has said he's not opposed to dealing his prized commodity within the National League West.
Forgive me, but I'm about to take a step off the deep end. Can the Cubs let Johnson go to a wild-card contender without trying to deal for him?
While the moves would have an impact on their well-stocked farm system, possibly costing them blue-chip prospects like Felix Pie and Bobby Brownlie, they're the only team in the majors that theoretically could deal for both Johnson and Nomar Garciaparra.
Sending Matt Clement to Boston for Garciaparra would be a no-brainer if there were a deal in place for Johnson. It's highly unlikely, yes, but not impossible, not when Wrigley Field is filled beyond capacity every day.
Elsewhere on the eve of the deadline:
- Baltimore second baseman Jerry Hairston Jr. could become the third generation in his family to play for the White Sox. The Orioles are shopping him, and his name has surfaced in rumors involving the Sox. The Naperville North product would add to the versatility of Ozzie Guillen's roster, but it's hard to see how the Sox would give up a majors-ready pitcher to get him, which is Baltimore's asking price.
- Houston insists that it is not giving up in the wild-card race, which is why it won't deal Carlos Beltran or any other top players, including Jeff Kent. The Giants, Dodgers and Phillies are among the teams calling about Beltran.
"I can confirm I have had a number of inquiries about our players over the last weeks," GM Gerry Hunsicker said, "but those are teams calling us, not the other way around."
- Outfielder Jason Kubel, a left-handed hitter batting .345 with seven homers and 41 RBIs at Triple-A Rochester, is the sticking point in the Kris Benson talks between Minnesota and Pittsburgh. The Twins don't want to give him up.
The Braves are viewed as another option for Benson, but their starters are 15-3 with a 2.92 ERA in July. Hard to see why they would break up a good thing. Anaheim might be the next-best bet, and there are reports out of New York that the Mets are interested.
- Giants assistant GM Ned Colletti characterizes the list of available hitters as "not even a pool; it's a puddle."
The Giants would like to add a hitter to replace Marquis Grissom in center and give Bonds some protection. Preston Wilson could be the backup plan behind Finley, but his contract is an issue.
- Jose Mesa, who is 29-for-30 in save situations, would just as soon stay with Pittsburgh as be traded. He has drawn the interest of the Cubs, Atlanta, San Francisco, St. Louis, Oakland and the Yankees.
"Only two teams even wanted me when I was a free agent," Mesa said, referring to his minor-league offers from Baltimore and Pittsburgh. "Twenty-eight other teams had the chance to sign me, but said, `No thank you.' I remember that."
Padres, Giants left in hunt for Big Unit
Arizona ace won't go to Yanks, but Cubs' wild-card aspirations could take a major hit
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July 30, 2004
George Steinbrenner isn't going to be able to buy himself a new toy this time. The Arizona Diamondbacks, to the delight of 28 other teams, have broken off talks with the New York Yankees, according to a highly placed Major League Baseball source.
But that doesn't necessarily mean Johnson plans to stay put with the Diamondbacks, who set a franchise record with 20 losses in May and already have broken it with 21 in July.
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According to the source, there are "a couple" of Johnson deals that could be completed before Saturday's 3 p.m. deadline for waiver-free trades. The teams showing late interest are the San Diego Padres and San Francisco Giants, both of whom could complicate the Cubs' push for a wild-card spot.San Diego, along with Los Angeles, also is a favorite to acquire Steve Finley from Arizona. It was the Arizona center fielder who sparked an interesting conversation between Johnson and Padres infielder Mark Loretta at the All-Star Game.
"He brought up Steve Finley to me," Loretta told the San Diego Union-Tribune. "He said, `So, are you guys going to get Finley?' I said, `You probably know more than I do. I have no idea.' I said, `What about you?'
"He said, `Well, I have a year and a half to go on my contract. I feel like I'm pitching as well as I ever have, and I feel like I can go somewhere and contribute to a winning team."'
Loretta said he asked Johnson how he would feel about coming to San Diego.
"He said, `I'd love that,"' Loretta said. "`I think that ballpark's great for pitchers, and you guys have a nice team.' He said, `If it came down to it and they asked me to waive my no-trade, I would.'"
So much for those reports that Johnson would approve a trade only to the Yankees.
San Diego leads San Francisco and the Cubs by two games in the wild-card standings.
The Giants' primary need now is for a closer, but they have been monitoring the Johnson negotiations closely. He's a Bay Area native who would seem a good fit for the Giants' park.
Owner Peter Magowan isn't known for spending, but he wants to get back to the World Series before Barry Bonds is done. Sources indicated the Giants were working to trade Ray Durham or Edgardo Alfonzo, which might make it easier to pay Johnson, who is to earn $16 million this year and in 2005.
Bonds has pushed management to get serious about a deal for Johnson.
Teams never like to trade within their division, but it's unlikely the Diamondbacks can contend next season, with or without Johnson. That's why Arizona general manager Joe Garagiola Jr. has said he's not opposed to dealing his prized commodity within the National League West.
Forgive me, but I'm about to take a step off the deep end. Can the Cubs let Johnson go to a wild-card contender without trying to deal for him?
While the moves would have an impact on their well-stocked farm system, possibly costing them blue-chip prospects like Felix Pie and Bobby Brownlie, they're the only team in the majors that theoretically could deal for both Johnson and Nomar Garciaparra.
Sending Matt Clement to Boston for Garciaparra would be a no-brainer if there were a deal in place for Johnson. It's highly unlikely, yes, but not impossible, not when Wrigley Field is filled beyond capacity every day.
Elsewhere on the eve of the deadline:
- Baltimore second baseman Jerry Hairston Jr. could become the third generation in his family to play for the White Sox. The Orioles are shopping him, and his name has surfaced in rumors involving the Sox. The Naperville North product would add to the versatility of Ozzie Guillen's roster, but it's hard to see how the Sox would give up a majors-ready pitcher to get him, which is Baltimore's asking price.
- Houston insists that it is not giving up in the wild-card race, which is why it won't deal Carlos Beltran or any other top players, including Jeff Kent. The Giants, Dodgers and Phillies are among the teams calling about Beltran.
"I can confirm I have had a number of inquiries about our players over the last weeks," GM Gerry Hunsicker said, "but those are teams calling us, not the other way around."
- Outfielder Jason Kubel, a left-handed hitter batting .345 with seven homers and 41 RBIs at Triple-A Rochester, is the sticking point in the Kris Benson talks between Minnesota and Pittsburgh. The Twins don't want to give him up.
The Braves are viewed as another option for Benson, but their starters are 15-3 with a 2.92 ERA in July. Hard to see why they would break up a good thing. Anaheim might be the next-best bet, and there are reports out of New York that the Mets are interested.
- Giants assistant GM Ned Colletti characterizes the list of available hitters as "not even a pool; it's a puddle."
The Giants would like to add a hitter to replace Marquis Grissom in center and give Bonds some protection. Preston Wilson could be the backup plan behind Finley, but his contract is an issue.
- Jose Mesa, who is 29-for-30 in save situations, would just as soon stay with Pittsburgh as be traded. He has drawn the interest of the Cubs, Atlanta, San Francisco, St. Louis, Oakland and the Yankees.
"Only two teams even wanted me when I was a free agent," Mesa said, referring to his minor-league offers from Baltimore and Pittsburgh. "Twenty-eight other teams had the chance to sign me, but said, `No thank you.' I remember that."
MaoTosiFanClub
The problem
Ryanwb said:
Since the Yankees can't put anything together and the Red Sox and Angels not being an option, you're basically left with the NL West. I could care less where Johnson goes as long as we get a great deal for him.
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Interesting tidbit I heard on the news -- Angels front office is looking to match any deal LA makes for RJ, in their effort to become the superior LA-area team fan base wise. Not sure if this is true or not, but if RJ is to be traded at all, these are the two teams Id want bidding on him as they both rank in the Top 5 prospect wise by both Baseball America and On Deck Baseball.
Lefty
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Gammons reported this morning that RJ has agreed to a trade to LA but the two teams are far apart in agreeing on which players to trade.
devilalum
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Zona90 said:
The thing that makes me sick about Randy going to LA is he'll probably break the single game K record against the Dbacks.
Why can't Joe Goofiola trade him to the AL?
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Ryanwb said:
I don't get it either. I mean, why on earth would you trade him to a team you will have to face 20 times per year (even though he won't pitch in every game)? Out of division in NL (he will not approve a trade out of division) or AL only.
Judging for Ryan's statements in another thread, I am hoping ANA comes up big because it sounds like they have the most to offer the Dbacks with regards to prospects.
MaoTosiFanClub
The problem
Who freaking cares where he goes? I'm an Angels and DBacks fan and therefore hate the Dodgers, but the deal we're going to get from them is unbelievable. It's simply a complete raping of the Dodgers farm system. We get pitching, catching, and power. With two hours left until the deadline it's looking less and less likely RJ or Finley will be traded ensuring us mediocre teams for years to come because we have absolutely no pitching in the minors. The Dodgers are going to be better than us over the next two years whether we have RJ or not, so I don't see the problem.
Lefty
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Ken Rosenthal said Finley to the Dodgers is close, and talks between Johnson and his agent are ongoing. He thinks both will be Dodgers.
Johnson staying put...
Johnson staying put
Bob McManaman
The Arizona Republic
July 31, 2004
DENVER – Randy Johnson will remain with the Arizona Diamondbacks, but Steve Finley appears headed on the move.
With about 2 1/2 hours remaining until the 1 p.m. trading deadline, Diamondbacks Chairman and CEO Jerry Colangelo told The Arizona Republic that Johnson, the five-time Cy Young Award winner, was staying put, for all intents and purposes, as a multi-player package with the Los Angeles Dodgers appeared to fall apart.
"It appears more than likely that Randy Johnson will remain a Diamondback, which has always been our choioce and our desire," Colangelo said at 10:30 a.m. (Arizona time) by cell phone. "… I’ll have more to say about it on Monday."
As for Finley, Colangelo said "if something is going to happen with Steve, it’s probably going to happen rather quickly."
Diamondbacks general manager Joe Garagiola Jr., has been talking with the Dodgers and the San Diego Padres about players Arizona would receive for the 39-year-old Finley, who is willing to waive his no-trade clause to only a West Coast team.
Finley becomes a free agent after this season, however, and said again Friday that he would consider re-signing with Arizona.
Johnson has about $23 million left on his contract with the Diamondbacks, who will pay him $16 million next season.
Johnson staying put
Bob McManaman
The Arizona Republic
July 31, 2004
DENVER – Randy Johnson will remain with the Arizona Diamondbacks, but Steve Finley appears headed on the move.
With about 2 1/2 hours remaining until the 1 p.m. trading deadline, Diamondbacks Chairman and CEO Jerry Colangelo told The Arizona Republic that Johnson, the five-time Cy Young Award winner, was staying put, for all intents and purposes, as a multi-player package with the Los Angeles Dodgers appeared to fall apart.
"It appears more than likely that Randy Johnson will remain a Diamondback, which has always been our choioce and our desire," Colangelo said at 10:30 a.m. (Arizona time) by cell phone. "… I’ll have more to say about it on Monday."
As for Finley, Colangelo said "if something is going to happen with Steve, it’s probably going to happen rather quickly."
Diamondbacks general manager Joe Garagiola Jr., has been talking with the Dodgers and the San Diego Padres about players Arizona would receive for the 39-year-old Finley, who is willing to waive his no-trade clause to only a West Coast team.
Finley becomes a free agent after this season, however, and said again Friday that he would consider re-signing with Arizona.
Johnson has about $23 million left on his contract with the Diamondbacks, who will pay him $16 million next season.
BC867
Long time Phoenician!
" 'Looks like you're going to have to put up with me for a year and a half."
Greg Schulte just said on TV that Randy said to him earlier in the day, " 'Looks like you're going to have to put up with me for a year and a half", and smiled.
Greg Schulte just said on TV that Randy said to him earlier in the day, " 'Looks like you're going to have to put up with me for a year and a half", and smiled.
FanOfTheGame1
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I would love to see Johnson stop talking to the media now. The absolutely amateurish way that the local beat writers (coughBickleycough) handled themselves was an absolute disgrace.
