If the Diamondbacks are going to deal
Randy Johnson, it has become apparent
that any takers had best be ready to sell part of the farm to land the
6-foot-10 left-hander. He isn't going to come cheap.
The
New York Yankees recently broke off talks with Arizona about
acquiring the Big Unit because the asking price reportedly was far too much to
stomach, although sources close to both clubs agreed a deal ultimately could
still be reached.
It could happen any day, but Arizona might have to alter its wish
list somewhat and the Yankees might have to include a third team to make a
plausible deal. The Diamondbacks are interested in right-hander Javier
Vasquez, even if he has issues with his former agent, Jeff Moorad, the
D-backs' CEO-elect and future chairman, but they also want much, much more.
The holdup, according to those involved, is Arizona's alleged
intent on also acquiring reliever
Tom Gordon, at least three prospects,
multimillion-dollar cash options on Vazquez's salary, and a starting pitcher
from another club that New York would have to obtain and the subsequently flip
to the Diamondbacks in a deal.
Asked if that was a sensible demand, a Diamondbacks official
coyly responded, "Hey, we're talking about Randy, the best left-handed
pitcher of all-time. We've got to get what we can get if we're going to do
this."
The same thinking, however, bit the Diamondbacks at the trading
deadline last July 31, when they asked for the moon from a handful of clubs
and were left with no deal for the five-time Cy Young Award winner. Arizona
said it was only asking for fair market value, something Johnson publicly
questioned at the time, assuming the Diamondbacks simply weren't prepared to
deal with the scrutiny of trading him.
Johnson, however, has made it clear through his representatives
that he no longer wishes to pitch in Arizona if the club can't guarantee him
it is able to immediately compete for the National League West Division title,
and ownership is fully prepared to still try to accommodate Johnson's request.
It strikes eerily strange comparisons to the club's stance on
free agent
Richie Sexson, who doesn't appear to want to re-sign with the
Diamondbacks. If neither player wants to be in Arizona, ownership doesn't want
to waste its time with either one of them even though Johnson essentially
helped put the Diamondbacks on the map.
NOTES, QUOTES
--Free agent RHP
Russ Ortiz of the
Atlanta Braves was offered a
multiyear contract offer by the Diamondbacks to help anchor Arizona's starting
rotation, but if a deal is to be reached, it probably won't happen until later
this month.
--Jerry Colangelo, the Diamondbacks' former CEO and chairman, is
scheduled to undergo surgery for prostate cancer on Dec. 30. Colangelo said
the illness was detected in its early stages.
--Free agent OF
David Dellucci of the
Texas Rangers has included
Arizona among his final destinations, but if he signs with the Diamondbacks, a
club for which he used to play, it likely will be in a platoon situation,
probably with converted second baseman
Scott Hairston.
--The planned decision to rename Bank One Ballpark after the
financial institution was bought out by JPMorgan Chase & Co. has been put
on hold until at least next spring. Rumors have the stadium being renamed
Chase Field.
BY THE NUMBERS: 27 -- Dollars, in millions, Arizona would save on
next year's budget should 1B Richie Sexson sign elsewhere as a free agent and
the Diamondbacks decide to unload LHP Randy Johnson, who is under contract for
one more season at $16 million ($6 million of which is deferred for five
years) plus a $1 million personal services contract.
QUOTE TO NOTE: "I don't see either side really pushing for
it unless there's a major cry from the fans, unless people stop coming to
games. But nothing's going to change. The owners are making too much money off
guys hitting home runs and the players are making too much money off home
runs." -- Diamondbacks television analyst
Mark Grace on the steroids
issue facing baseman and Major League Baseball's steroids-testing policy,
which he calls "weak" and "meaningless."