Report: Big Unit headed to Yanks

[LastKnight]

Report: Big Unit headed to Yanks

Three-team deal would bring big lefty to the Bronx

By Tom Singer / MLB.com  

 

Randy Johnson will soon join the Yankees, according to several reports. (David Zalubowski/AP)  

Several media outlets Thursday night reported on a proposed three-team deal that would bring Arizona's Big Unit to The Bronx.

The Los Angeles Dodgers' quick emergence as a third party to the deal has spurred an agreement "in principle," as reported by both Sporting News and Newsday on their Web sites.

According to the reports, New York would send right-hander Javier Vazquez to the Dodgers, along with minor-league catcher Dioner Navarro and third baseman Eric Duncan.

Los Angeles in turn would send right-handed starter Brad Penny, reliever Yhency Brazoban and outfielder Shawn Green to the Diamondbacks.

The Yankees are in line to get "only" Johnson. But the 41-year-old veteran, the 2004 Cy Young Award runner-up to Roger Clemens, is all the Bombers have wanted since well before last July's trading deadline.

The Yankees had no comment on the transaction, which would depend on physicals by all the principals and dispensation of the no-trade clause in Johnson's contract.

Duncan's agent told a New York TV station late Thursday night that the only holdup to the deal was Green's no-trade clause.

Ken Kendrick, a member of the Diamondbacks' ownership group, told MLB.com, "There's no deal," but he added that there are "multiple discussions going on at this point."

Kendrick also indicated an understanding with Johnson's representatives to bring a final resolution to his status by Dec. 31.

"We're still in conversations with a lot of different clubs about a lot of different possibilities," Dodgers general manager Paul DePodesta said earlier in the day. "We have talked about some three-way deals and some four-way deals. I don't know if it's going to happen or not."

New York, which has also pursued ex-Philadelphia pitcher Eric Milton to fill the left-handed void in its rotation, has apparently never been closer to closing on Johnson.

In the consequential offseason world of Major League Baseball, a number of earlier developments may have moved this prospective deal along.

Earlier Thursday, the Atlanta Braves completed a deal with Oakland for Tim Hudson, a pitcher for whom Los Angeles was also in hot pursuit. Having missed out on Hudson, the Dodgers quickly seized Vazquez as an alternative.

Also Thursday, the Seattle Mariners reached a five-year agreement with free-agent Adrian Beltre, which may have influenced the Dodgers to accept a third baseman, Duncan, as part of the Yankees package.

On Wednesday, the Mariners had also signed free-agent slugger Richie Sexson. The Diamondbacks found a replacement long-ball threat in Green, along with a pair of pithers in their mid-20s.

Both players are also due to earn $16 million in 2005, a contractual wash which would facilitate a swap that involves both of them.

Johnson's clause is not foreseen as a problem, inasmuch as the 246-game winner himself has been campaigning hard to be dealt to New York.

But as pointed out by Newsday, Johnson's contract also includes several Phoenix-specific perks that would have to be converted if he changes residences.

Johnson is entering the second season of a two-year, $33 million contract and would want to negotiate an extension with his new team.

[___ Eats It]

Looks like Shawn Green might hold this whole deal up.

[Velcro]

Green can hold it up, but i dont' see why he would.

[ChiTownBull]

and he isn't going to hold it up

[Velcro]

is the deal done yet?  I see pavano's deal finally went through... congrats.  Georgie certainly realized pitching was the yanks fatal flaw.

[ChiTownBull]

almost done

ESPN's Peter Gammons reports that the deal is still in the works but that, despite published reports to the contrary, neither Johnson nor Green has officially waived his no-trade clause yet.

Gammons added that both players' agents are waiting to hear from the Yankees and Diamondbacks on new extensions.

Sources involved in the three-way deal told Gammons that they believe MLB commissioner Bud Selig will have to sign off on the cash number being discussed between New York and Los Angeles before the window can be opened to renegotiate the contracts of Green and Johnson. That might not happen until Monday.

[ChiTownBull]

they knew they won ws in the past with pitching

when they lost pettite and clemens before last season it really hurt

they tried to replace those guys with vazquez and brown...major down grade

[smazza]

he is not a sure thing

i met him when he played at usc

he was skinny

[Velcro]

he might not be a sure thing, but if the yanks get him... it is huge.

[CyberBull]

Mark my words, if Johnson winds up in pinstripes it will be a disaster. Johnson is a man who used to grumble about the "tough" Seattle and Arizona media. Wait until the NY media grills him after a bad spring training start.

Some players are born to play in New York (Reggie Jackson, Paulie O'Neil and David Cone) some are  not (Kevin Rogers, Ed Whitson, jason Giambi).

The Yankees should of gone after Hudson and/or Mulder.