Let's see how far the demands drop.
I could see the D'backs accepting some sort of package centered around Vasquez, money and a prospect or two, then trading Vasquez to the Marlins for a deal including A.J. Burnett. I could live with that, assuming Burnett checks out physically.
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December 13, 2004 -- ANAHEIM - Get ready for the latest round of Randy Johnson-to-the-Yankees talk.
According to multiple industry sources, the Diamondbacks are ready to return to the trade table with the Yankees today after the Bombers broke off talks on Dec. 1 when they believed the Diamondbacks' demands were far too excessive.
Now the Diamondbacks are exploring if there is a common ground with the Yankees, who are the only team Johnson can be traded to because they are willing to add another year to his deal in order for Johnson to waive his no-trade clause.
"They have been putting feelers out," a source said. "[Jeff] Moorad is getting ready to call the Yankees."
Moorad, the CEO of the Diamondbacks, dealt strictly with Yankees president Randy Levine during the last dance. If that is to change, GM Brian Cashman didn't know it since he said the only contact he has had with Arizona GM Joe Garagiola at the winter meetings was to say hello to him at a GM gathering.
The Yankees are willing to send Javier Vazquez to the Diamondbacks but aren't going to include Tom Gordon. Nor are they going to acquire one of the 10 pitchers - a list that included Tim Hudson - and then deal that pitcher to the Diamondbacks with Vazquez.
While the Yankees were willing to throw in somewhere near $12 million to make up the $19.5 million difference between Johnson's and Vazquez' salaries, they may have changed their thinking. That's because the Diamondbacks, who are supposedly broke, shelled out $78 million for Troy Glaus and Russ Ortiz.
Johnson is slated to make $16 million next year and there is $35.5 million remaining on Vazquez' contract. The Diamondbacks originally asked for $19.5 million from the Yankees but it will be interesting to see what they ask for now.
Acquiring Johnson would make the Yankees' rotation whole and enable them to fill their top off-season pitching priority.
Johnson, who will likely demand another $16 million for 2006, would be the third new face in Joe Torre's rotation. Carl Pavano (four years for $39 million) and Jaret Wright (three years for $21 million) have agreed to deals. The three new arms join Mike Mussina and Kevin Brown, who no team wants, in the starting five.
However much money the Diamondbacks get from the Yankees it won't be enough for them to keep Vazquez. They will spin him off and the Marlins are very interested. They talked to the Yankees yesterday about Vazquez but there isn't a match between the clubs.
In other Yankee developments yesterday, it appears Eric Milton isn't rejoining the team that took him in the first round of the 1996 draft.
"We are continuing to dance but amping up efforts with other teams," said Casey Close, Milton's agent.
As soon as Wright agreed to be a Yankee, Milton started moving away because Johnson will eventually be a Yankee and Brown can't be traded. So with five spots filled, the Yankees had no room for Milton. Even the Yankees don't spend $7 to $8 million on a sixth starter.
Milton was looking for a three-year, $24 million deal and the Yankees never went higher than $21 million.
The Indians and Mets have expressed interest in the event it didn't work out with the Yankees.
Will the latest round of talks between the Yankees and Diamondbacks result in Johnson finally coming to The Bronx? That depends on Arizona's demands and where they can send Vazquez.
I could see the D'backs accepting some sort of package centered around Vasquez, money and a prospect or two, then trading Vasquez to the Marlins for a deal including A.J. Burnett. I could live with that, assuming Burnett checks out physically.
Email Archives
Print Reprint
December 13, 2004 -- ANAHEIM - Get ready for the latest round of Randy Johnson-to-the-Yankees talk.
According to multiple industry sources, the Diamondbacks are ready to return to the trade table with the Yankees today after the Bombers broke off talks on Dec. 1 when they believed the Diamondbacks' demands were far too excessive.
Now the Diamondbacks are exploring if there is a common ground with the Yankees, who are the only team Johnson can be traded to because they are willing to add another year to his deal in order for Johnson to waive his no-trade clause.
"They have been putting feelers out," a source said. "[Jeff] Moorad is getting ready to call the Yankees."
Moorad, the CEO of the Diamondbacks, dealt strictly with Yankees president Randy Levine during the last dance. If that is to change, GM Brian Cashman didn't know it since he said the only contact he has had with Arizona GM Joe Garagiola at the winter meetings was to say hello to him at a GM gathering.
The Yankees are willing to send Javier Vazquez to the Diamondbacks but aren't going to include Tom Gordon. Nor are they going to acquire one of the 10 pitchers - a list that included Tim Hudson - and then deal that pitcher to the Diamondbacks with Vazquez.
While the Yankees were willing to throw in somewhere near $12 million to make up the $19.5 million difference between Johnson's and Vazquez' salaries, they may have changed their thinking. That's because the Diamondbacks, who are supposedly broke, shelled out $78 million for Troy Glaus and Russ Ortiz.
Johnson is slated to make $16 million next year and there is $35.5 million remaining on Vazquez' contract. The Diamondbacks originally asked for $19.5 million from the Yankees but it will be interesting to see what they ask for now.
Acquiring Johnson would make the Yankees' rotation whole and enable them to fill their top off-season pitching priority.
Johnson, who will likely demand another $16 million for 2006, would be the third new face in Joe Torre's rotation. Carl Pavano (four years for $39 million) and Jaret Wright (three years for $21 million) have agreed to deals. The three new arms join Mike Mussina and Kevin Brown, who no team wants, in the starting five.
However much money the Diamondbacks get from the Yankees it won't be enough for them to keep Vazquez. They will spin him off and the Marlins are very interested. They talked to the Yankees yesterday about Vazquez but there isn't a match between the clubs.
In other Yankee developments yesterday, it appears Eric Milton isn't rejoining the team that took him in the first round of the 1996 draft.
"We are continuing to dance but amping up efforts with other teams," said Casey Close, Milton's agent.
As soon as Wright agreed to be a Yankee, Milton started moving away because Johnson will eventually be a Yankee and Brown can't be traded. So with five spots filled, the Yankees had no room for Milton. Even the Yankees don't spend $7 to $8 million on a sixth starter.
Milton was looking for a three-year, $24 million deal and the Yankees never went higher than $21 million.
The Indians and Mets have expressed interest in the event it didn't work out with the Yankees.
Will the latest round of talks between the Yankees and Diamondbacks result in Johnson finally coming to The Bronx? That depends on Arizona's demands and where they can send Vazquez.
