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12/06/2004: Unit Watch, Day Interminable + 1
Over at the Cardinals Birdhouse, Ray Mileur weighs in on why Randy Johnson ain't going anywhere:
What kept the Yankees from closing the deal that the owner George Steinbrenner has wanted to make for two seasons now?Hopefully we can put this one to bed now.
Well it was the asking price for the 6'10" flamethrower. Reports from insiders indicate Arizona was asking New York for a package that included Javier Vazquez, Tom Gordon, prospects Eric Duncan and Chien-Ming Wang, another prospect and cash considerations between $12-20 million. In addition to all this the D-Backs also wanted the Yankees to acquire another pitcher -- preferably one of Oakland's "Big Three" of Barry Zito, Tim Hudson and Mark Mulder -- to include in the deal.
Randy Johnson said Thursday he plans on staying put in Arizona and is it any wonder, I mean who can afford to make the Diamondbacks the kind of deal that they are asking for? If not the Yankees, than it's no one.
Imagine if you will the Arizona Diamondbacks demanding the same type of deal from the St. Louis Cardinals that the Yankees have just turned down. It would hypothetically look something like this;
Randy Johnson to St. Louis for, Jeff Suppan, Jason Marquis, Dan Haren, Yadier Molina & John Gall plus $14 million dollars.
I don't know about you, but I'm not making this deal and I can't imagine anyone else making it.
Update: Though Phil Rodgers of the Chicago Tribune believes that the Yankees are gaming the system, of sorts:
One reason the Yankees backed out of a Randy Johnson deal is they figure they can make their best push for him next July.Oh Gawd. Are we really facing Yet Another Unit Watch as we push the 2005 trading deadline (yes, of course; what else does the New York Press have to live for?).
Lord, take me now!
Len on 12.06.04 @ 07:56 AM CST
