Big Unit heading back to AZ?

[Zito75]

Here's a link; deal looks imminent.

http://www.azcentral.com/sports/diamondbacks/articles/0104dbacks0105.html

[ElHalo]

Good. The Yanks have too many starting pitchers anyway. Right now it projects to be on opening day:

1. Wang
2. Mussina
3. Pettite
4. Igawa
5. Pavano

Given that Pavano is about a 100% cinch to suffer a debilitating injury within a month or so, that rotation would project by May or June to look like:

1. Hughes
2. Clemens
3. Wang
4. Mussina
5. Pettite

It's a given that the Yanks are going after Clemens; I'd put the odds of him signing there by May or June at around 60%, Astros at around 30%, retirement 10%.

And as to the number one slot: Yeah, I said it. Philip Hughes will be better than all of them.

[bigtime39]

If they send the Yankee$ anything more than a bucket of balls, and if the Yankee$ pay anything less than all of Johnson's salary, this is a bad, bad deal for the Diamondbacks.

[Zito75]

If they send the Yankee$ anything more than a bucket of balls, and if the Yankee$ pay anything less than all of Johnson's salary, this is a bad, bad deal for the Diamondbacks.

Agreed... They are giving up way too much to bring back the "Broken Unit."

[DodgerBlue81]

Another good move by the Yankees. I think they should be the favorites to win it all.

[ChrisLDuncan]

BOOOOOOOOH YEAH

I like this move alot, it looks like the Johnson trade wasn't that bad after all...just gave up Javier Vasquez (Unit was an upgrade), Brad Halsely (a guy who has shown very little promise), and Dioneer Navarro (I would have liked him...but I don't think he's going anywhere) None of these players still play on the D-Backs, so now were getting stuff back for Unit? Sign me up!

[RoyallyWise]

There are going to be alot of fun pitching matchups in the NL West.

[mojorisin71]

If they send the Yankee$ anything more than a bucket of balls, and if the Yankee$ pay anything less than all of Johnson's salary, this is a bad, bad deal for the Diamondbacks.
Exactly. Weren't the DBacks in the red when they made the first Johnson deal?

[Zito75]

Good. The Yanks have too many starting pitchers anyway. Right now it projects to be on opening day:

1. Wang
2. Mussina
3. Pettite
4. Igawa
5. Pavano

Given that Pavano is about a 100% cinch to suffer a debilitating injury within a month or so, that rotation would project by May or June to look like:

1. Hughes
2. Clemens
3. Wang
4. Mussina
5. Pettite

It's a given that the Yanks are going after Clemens; I'd put the odds of him signing there by May or June at around 60%, Astros at around 30%, retirement 10%.

And as to the number one slot: Yeah, I said it. Philip Hughes will be better than all of them.

Where does Clemens fit in the rotation? You know he's coming back to be with his pal Pettitte.

[Knick9]

If they send the Yankee$ anything more than a bucket of balls, and if the Yankee$ pay anything less than all of Johnson's salary, this is a bad, bad deal for the Diamondbacks.

Why did the D-Backs even do this? This trade is so stupid for them. Randy isn't going to be pitching much longer so you basically get him by gutting your farm system quite a bit? That kind of shows the intelligence of the teams that trade with the Yankees. :rolleyes:

[ElHalo]

Where does Clemens fit in the rotation? You know he's coming back to be with his pal Pettitte.

That was why I gave him the number two starter spot in the All Star Break rotation.

[ElHalo]

Why did the D-Backs even do this? This trade is so stupid for them. Randy isn't going to be pitching much longer so you basically get him by gutting your farm system quite a bit? That kind of shows the intelligence of the teams that trade with the Yankees. :rolleyes:

Because Randy is a big revenue producer for the DBacks; as he closes in on 300 wins, he'll put a lot of butts in the seats. Doesn't matter if he pitches well or not, as long as he pitches.

[Mattingly]

Why did the D-Backs even do this? This trade is so stupid for them. Randy isn't going to be pitching much longer so you basically get him by gutting your farm system quite a bit? That kind of shows the intelligence of the teams that trade with the Yankees. :rolleyes:
Despite his age, he had many very good games for us in 2005. 2006, I believe he wasn't very consistent. Either case, a few factors were there which may not necessarily exist when he's back home.


Like Clemens in Houston, Randy will be back home. Being closer to your family always helps.
There won't be the ever-changing inclimate weather in Arizona as there will be in NYC, which has affected his pitching (his 2005 ALDS start was a bust as it had rained, so he was pitching in cold and soggy weather).
Much of his inconsistency was due to his bad back, which has been surgically repaired. I'm guessing that the Snakes are guessing that he'll be more consistent if his back is working better.

I wouldn't say they've gutted their farm system, as they're sending us two farm guys and one MLB player (Luis Vizcaino, who's a 2008 FA and due for a raise from $1.7m in 2007).

Here's an article from Friday's NY Post detailing one of the minor leagues who are included in the deal, which has not yet finalized:

SCOUT: YOUNG PITCHER 'STEAL' OF DEAL FOR CASHMAN (http://www.nypost.com/seven/01052007/sports/yankees/scout__young_pitcher_steal_of_deal_for_cashman_yan kees_kevin_kernan.htm)
January 5, 2007 -- The Yankees hope they have something similar to Chien-Ming Wang in young Ross Ohlendorf, the pitcher they targeted in the Randy Johnson deal with the Diamondbacks.

"This kid is special," explained a National League scout last night. The scout has closely watched the development of Ohlendorf, 24, a sinkerballer, like Wang. The 6-foot-4, 230-pound right-hander struck out 125 batters and walked only 29 last year in the minors as he posted a 10-8 record with a 3.29 ERA at Double-A Tennessee and a 0-0 mark with a 1.28 ERA at Triple-A Tucson.

"He's a tough kid, a smart kid," the scout said of the former Princeton star. "He got over 1,500 on his SATs."

The Diamondbacks thought highly of Ohlendorf, too, but to get Johnson, they thought the gamble was worth it.

The Yankees also will receive major league reliever Luis Vizcaino and two other minor leaguers in the trade. The deal was tentatively agreed upon yesterday and will be finalized when Johnson and the Diamondbacks come to terms on a one-year extension for 2008. The two sides have until 5 p.m. Sunday to work out the extension, which will not be a problem.

Johnson wants to go home to Arizona and the Yankees, who are replenishing their farm system through the trades of Gary Sheffield and Johnson, believe Ohlendorf is the type of pitcher who could bust into the rotation soon. That was the plan for him in Arizona.

"He really has a power arm," said the scout. "He's the kind of kid you just love to have. He's special."

[Zito75]

Hmmm. 2 year extension for RJ?

I thought Bill Bavasi was the Mariner's GM! :laugh

[Zito75]

That was why I gave him the number two starter spot in the All Star Break rotation.

Ah... I missed that. Good call, EH.

[Mattingly]

Hmmm. 2 year extension for RJ?

I thought Bill Bavasi was the Mariner's GM! :laugh
Hey, just when you thought the Yanks were nuts for giving this guy a 2-year extension, the D-backs give him the same. Oh well, at least theirs is worth "only" $26m instead of $32m that the Yanks cost. :D

If anybody ever wonders what all these teams have been doing with their luxury tax income, I can finally provide an answer for you all! :p :laugh

[mtortolero]

Hey, just when you thought the Yanks were nuts for giving this guy a 2-year extension, the D-backs give him the same. Oh well, at least theirs is worth "only" $26m instead of $32m that the Yanks cost. :D

If anybody ever wonders what all these teams have been doing with their luxury tax income, I can finally provide an answer for you all! :p :laugh

For the money that pitchers as Lilly or Meche are receiving in the market this winter I don´t think is so bad move for the DBacks.
Remember he was not 100% healthy last season and probably his fastball is not what used to be but he is a better bet as pitcher than what DBacks can find in the market paying those humoungus contracts.
And look as the DBacks wants to be the host team for the 300 win show.