Randy Johnson

[Derek Jeter]

Their are reports of RJ being dangled by the Yankees. What are your thoughts?

[EdmondsFan#1]

Not a Diamondbacks fan speaking but I would be very happy if he went to Arizona.

I think this would be great for Randy Johnson but it also could be great for the Diamondbacks. If Randy Johnson is going to reach the 300 win milestone I hope for it to be with the Diamondbacks.

Even though Randy was not exactly who he used to be last year with the Yankees he still posted 17 wins, now that he has had surgery to repair his back; who knows, he might have changed for the better. Seeing as he was absolutely mind bobblingly stupendous from 1999-2002 I don't know why it wouldn't be a possibility. Of course that was several years ago but he was still a great pitcher up until this year.

And maybe going to a team that he has had much sucess for will give him an extra step in the right direction.

[KCGHOST]

Considering the way he left the D'Backs I can't see why they would want him back. I guess if the Yanks picked up half his salary maybe he would be a useful 4-5 starter.

[DoubleX]

I think going back to the Diamondbacks makes a world of sense for Johnson, of course, Arizona should be careful about what it gives up. Johnson certainly struggled last year, but his '05 year was pretty decent especially considering it was his first back in the AL. He still eats innings, and he still flashes his dominance at times. Moving back to the NL, with the thinner lineups and more bigger ballparks, should be beneficial to Johnson and I think he could be a solid no. 2. for Arizona behind Webb, provided he's healthy. Look at Clemens - during his run with the Yankees, he seemed to be an above average pitcher at best for most of that stint. Then he moved to the NL and was dominant again. I don't think going back to the NL will have quite such a boost for Johnson, but I think it will definitely help him to rebound. There's also the comfort factor in that he personally will probably be much more comfortable pitching in Arizona.

It also makes sense because Arizona seems to be looking for some history here, in that it's interested in Johnson getting 300 wins with the franchise and cementing his status as a Diamondback for legacy and Hall of Fame purposes (instead of a Mariner/Diamondback). Teams at times, especially oens without much history, do seem to covet some kind of tradition like this (Wade Boggs with the Devil Rays comes to mind, the Brewers retiring Hank Aaron's number is another example). I don't know what the Diamondbacks fanbase situation is, but I'd imagine Johnson returning to Arizona would generate quite a bit of buzz among the fanbase, as would his pursuit of 300 - a kind of feat which would be very new to the fans there.

But I do reiiterate, that Arizona should be careful with what it is willing to deal, and that Johnson isn't worth that much at this point, and certainly not worth paying his full contract.

[Dogdaze]

The trade was announced on the news, the D-Backs have 72 hours to work out an extension, but it sounds like it will be a done deal.

I have mixed feelings about his return. I always liked Johnson, and I'm not sure how the big unit will do after the back surgery.

I doubt he'll get twenty wins this year, but maybe 15. He needs 20 wins to reach 300, and I can see that happening in 2008. So that will be good for the Dbacks, adding some history to the franchise as DoubleX pointed out.

And my gut tells me he will do well, playing in the NL will help. So overall I'm happy he's coming back to AZ. :clapping

[SSammSm]

It be better if the M's were to get him. But that's just me. Actually, I'd be rather happy with the Big Unit if he went back to Arizona. In fact, I'd be happy if he goes anywhere that's NOT the Yankees oganization.

[Waitinfor27]

All I can say is well, in a way, thanks for the loan the last two years. Here's your first D-backs HOFmer back.

[Mariano_Rivera]

It be better if the M's were to get him. But that's just me. Actually, I'd be rather happy with the Big Unit if he went back to Arizona. In fact, I'd be happy if he goes anywhere that's NOT the Yankees oganization.

I never knew you were such a Yankees fan and Mariners hater Matt. :D

Cogratulations you have him for 2 more years and gave up 2 good pitching prospects, 1 throw-in and your best 2006 reliever. He might do well and it should be nice and add some more history to this young franchise. You also have a wicked farm so it should be decent. I absolutely love it for my team and it isn`t to bad for the DBacks though I still don`t like it from their perspective.

[Seattle1]

It's official, Randy Johnson is back on the Diamondbacks!

[KCFAN11]

Great at least he isnt in a yankees uniform anymore.

[Ceannsaich]

says the kc royals fan...

I think Johnson will be a good edition. Obvously, he is only a shell of his former slef, but i think hell be good anyway. Especially in the weaker national league

[PJ-34]

IS there even D-Backs fans on this site???

[Edgartohof]

IS there even D-Backs fans on this site???

It sure doesn't seem so. I think that the most replies in a single thread in this team forum is 28!!!

I mean the team DID win a WS just a few years back, you'd think they'd be happy.

[Paul Weber]

I think the Diamondbacks got foolishly sentimental in trading for Randy Johnson. Face it: he's way on the high side of 40, and he just had back surgery. It would be great to see him have one last great season, but I don't think it's gonna happen. On the other hand, if it did, it would be a story for the ages.

I think I'm the only D-backs fan on this page.....:eek:

[Dogdaze]

I think the Diamondbacks got foolishly sentimental in trading for Randy Johnson. Face it: he's way on the high side of 40, and he just had back surgery. It would be great to see him have one last great season, but I don't think it's gonna happen. On the other hand, if it did, it would be a story for the ages.

I think I'm the only D-backs fan on this page.....:eek:

Well I'm a Dbacks fan, but there isn't many that post here so the dialogue is few and far between.

I'm also a Red Sox fan, being a Boston transplant, and since there is always discussion on their thread I'm usually over there, but I'd welcome discussion here, if we can get some more posters with some good topics to discuss!

As for Johnson, while he won't be the pitcher he was when he was last in AZ, I think he will be above average, at least this year. He was inconsistant last year, but playing in the NL will help him be more effective this year imo.

Beyond this year, who knows, but it will be nice for the Dbacks to add some history to the franchise and if Johnson gets his 300th win, probably next year it will make for a nice story!

[Ceannsaich]

Im a dbacks fan. I like the cubs more though.

[Rennie Stennett]

I remember when Randy Johnson was 35 or so. The M's thought he was over the hill, they thought he had a bad attitude and they didn't want to pay big contracts back then. He had some back problems but came back to have some of the best years of his career. I hope he gets number 300 in Arizona, just like Gaylord Perry got his 300th in Seattle. Getting out of the Big Apple will do him good. He had some problems tipping his pitches. Actually, he always did tip his pitches, but his stuff was so awesome that it didn't matter. Now it does. Maybe Johnson could start throwing the spitter like Gaylord did.

[The Dude]

If Johnson started throwing the spitter, I would probably laugh more than be ashamed my favorite pitcher started throwing it.

A question I'd like to pose, is if Johnson does come back and has an amazing season and wins something like 24 games, should he stick around or just give it up, going out on top being a 300 game winner?

[Mattingly]

How well has Randy done in the Cactus League so far? What are his expectations for 2007?

If Johnson started throwing the spitter, I would probably laugh more than be ashamed my favorite pitcher started throwing it.

A question I'd like to pose, is if Johnson does come back and has an amazing season and wins something like 24 games, should he stick around or just give it up, going out on top being a 300 game winner?
Spitter or splitter?

While I think that his back and & daily rises & falls of the NYC weather were issues for him, I would be interested in seeing how well he accustomed himself to his more familiar warm environment, rather than the damp coldness that NYC weather often is.

[The Dude]

The spitter. He did throw a splitter in 2004 that wasn't too bad. However, I don't know if he used it much the last few seasons, as I see very few AL games.

As for his Cactus League performance, there hasn't really been one yet. He says he's feeling great, but he hasn't been allowed to throw in an actual game yet. I think it's smart, giving him much needed time to rest that back. He should have thrown in 2, maybe 3 games by the end of spring training. More BP and bullpen workouts than anything for him. The team however is saying that he looks like he's in better shape than he was both seasons in the AL, and he's not at 100% to where he's expected to be. I'm guessing April will be a lighter workload than he'll see the rest of the season.