Arizona, Johnson Agree to $26M/2 Years

Randy Johnson agreed yesterday to a $26 million, two-year contract with Arizona, leaving only physicals and final approvals to complete his trade from the Yankees back to the Diamondbacks.

Johnson most likely will take his physical today, and the trade probably will be finalized tomorrow. Arizona general manager Josh Byrnes confirmed the agreement but otherwise declined comment until after the medical information is reviewed.

New York, which acquired the Big Unit from Arizona two years ago, would receive reliever Luis Vizcaino, minor league right-handers Ross Ohlendorf and Steven Jackson, and minor league shortstop Alberto Gonzalez.

"We're very excited and very happy for Randy, We think it's a win-win for everybody," Alan Nero, who represents Johnson along with Barry Meister, said. "It was very complex because there was a lot of legal work — it was the third time the contract has been redone. Other than that, I think it went very smoothly."

Johnson, a 43-year-old left-hander who lives in the Phoenix area, was owed $16 million this year in the final season of his January 2005 contract with the Yankees, a deal that called for $1.5 million to be deferred without interest until 2010.

Because of the cash involved, commissioner Bud Selig must approve the trade. The players' association also might want to review the restructuring of his contract.