D’backs Confirm Interest in Unit
This article is from the archive of The New York Sun before the launch of its new website in 2022. The Sun has neither altered nor updated such articles but will seek to correct any errors, mis-categorizations or other problems introduced during transfer.
If the Yankees are serious about trading Randy Johnson, the Diamondbacks would love to have him back.
Arizona confirmed its talks with New York about the Big Unit, who won four Cy Young Awards with the Diamondbacks from 1999–2004, but thus far the Yankees’ asking price has been too high.
“There’s no activity at this point,” Diamondbacks general partner Jeff Moorad said yesterday. “The Diamondbacks as an organization have a tremendous amount of respect for Randy, yet also recognize he’s under contract to the Yankees. If there’s ever an opportunity that made sense to reacquire him, we’d be at the head of the line.”
The San Diego Padres and San Francisco Giants also have talked with New York about Johnson, a baseball official who had been briefed on the talks said, speaking on condition of anonymity because no deal had been agreed to.
Yankees general manager Brian Cashman declined comment on Johnson, and Padres GM Kevin Towers didn’t return messages seeking comment.
If the Yankees do trade Johnson, who is owed $16 million next year in the final season of his contract, New York would consider pursuing Barry Zito, the top available starting pitcher on the free-agent market.
Johnson, who lives in the Phoenix area, was 17–11 with a 5.00 ERA last season and is coming off back surgery on October 26. He went 103–49 in six seasons with the D’backs, leading the NL in ERA three times and victories once.
