CSF Posted May 20, 2004 Share Posted May 20, 2004 Sox must think big to grab Big Unit Trading Ordonez could free money for possible deal May 20, 2004 An unsolicited word of advice for Ken Williams: Put 602-462-6500 on your speed dial. That's the Arizona Diamondbacks' switchboard number. It's where you can reach Joe Garagiola Jr., the general manager, and his top assistant, Sandy Johnson. These people are certain to be very popular the next couple of months, especially after they telegraph their willingness to deal Randy Johnson and Steve Finley. It's too early for the Diamondbacks to entertain serious thoughts about dealing the 40-year-old Johnson, who raised his trade value Tuesday night when he threw the third perfect game in the National League since 1965. But unless manager Bob Brenly and his players can recover from a 14-23 start to get into contention, Johnson is likely to have a new address by the end of July. The financial problems that forced Arizona to trade Curt Schilling last winter have not gone away. Jerry Colangelo's ownership group remains under pressure to reduce a $70 million payroll, which is likely to leave the Diamondbacks shopping Johnson and center fielder Finley, either of whom—or both—would look good with the White Sox. I know what you're thinking: Jerry Reinsdorf pay for Johnson? Yeah, right. But with the Sox knowing that nothing except an October run of their own will allow them to recapture attention in a Cubs' town, and Minnesota on pace to win 100 games despite an early run of injuries, it (like a potential Ken Griffey Jr. trade) is worth filing away for the time between now and the July 31 trading deadline. Johnson is signed through 2005 at $16 million per season, with $6 million deferred. Finley, who is making $6.75 million, will be a free agent at the end of this season. That's a lot of money for the already over-budget White Sox to pay, but it's not out of the question given the likely departure of Magglio Ordonez, who is making $14 million. Here's what I can see happening: The Sox trade for Johnson and Finley, whose left-handed bat balances the lineup, and then deal Ordonez for a package of prospects. Talk about a wild July. With Williams saying he's in an "ultra-aggressive" mode, anything is possible, with the possible exception of the Sox adding a headliner like Johnson and continuing to pay Ordonez $1,076,923 every other week for the rest of the season. That's not how the Sox do business. But add Johnson and subtract Ordonez? That could play in the executive offices at 35th and Shields. How about a deal that brings Johnson and Finley from Arizona for Carlos Lee, Neal Cotts, an outfielder from the minor-league stable that includes Jeremy Reed, Brian Anderson, Ryan Sweeney and Joe Borchard, and maybe another minor-league pitcher? Then the Sox move Ordonez to the highest bidder. Manager Ozzie Guillen's outfield options after those moves would include Finley, who is tied for the major-league lead with 12 homers; Aaron Rowand; Ross Gload; Timo Perez; Willie Harris; Andres Torres; and either Reed or Borchard, assuming the Diamondbacks didn't want them. Other outfielders, including Kansas City's Juan Gonzalez, will be available for teams willing to take on their salaries. Health was a major question for Johnson entering the season, but he reported to spring training appearing recovered from the knee surgery he had in 2003 and has been in form all season. He has gone at least six innings in eight of his nine starts, holding opponents to a .156 batting average and striking out 11.6 batters per nine innings, down only marginally from his ratios in 2001 and 2002. That was when he was at his most dominant, going 45-11 for the Diamondbacks those seasons and joining Schilling to pick up an MVP award in the 2001World Series. If the 98-m.p.h. fastball he used to finish off the perfecto against Atlanta is an indication, he hasn't lost much since turning 40. "You guys keep saying I'm old," Johnson said. "And someday I will be." Johnson's knee would pose a threat for any team acquiring him. He has worn through his cartilage, making it basically a bone-on-bone situation. A lubricating fluid can be injected occasionally to ease the problem. The Yankees, among other teams, covet Johnson. But the reality is few teams have both the resources to pay him and the package of prospects that would satisfy the Diamondbacks. Surplus talent is a problem for the Yankees, whose farm system is ranked among the worst. The White Sox don't have the bottomless pockets but have surprising flexibility given the impending free agency of Ordonez, Jose Valentin and Billy Koch, who account for $25.375 million of a $68 million payroll. Trading for Johnson would be a risk, sure. But imagine how White Sox fans will react if he's there for the taking and their ownership won't bite. Then imagine how angry they'll be if he winds up based at Wrigley Field. Crazier things have happened. Email: [email protected] Copyright © 2004, The Chicago Tribune I am not for any trade that costs this team either Reed, Anderson, or Sweeney. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JoshPR Posted May 20, 2004 Share Posted May 20, 2004 Not for a 40 yr old. Johnson may be good but he's 40 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gene Honda Civic Posted May 20, 2004 Share Posted May 20, 2004 Not for a 40 yr old. Johnson may be good but he's 40 Only 17 pitchers have done what Randy Johnson did yesterday -- He was still 40 Yesterday. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JoshPR Posted May 20, 2004 Share Posted May 20, 2004 Only 17 pitchers have done what Randy Johnson did yesterday -- He was still 40 Yesterday. Very True. But i'm looking at the long haul here. We lose Reed or one of those guys and in 2 years Johnson is retired Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
aboz56 Posted May 20, 2004 Share Posted May 20, 2004 No way, look at this sentence, it's enough to make me sick: Manager Ozzie Guillen's outfield options after those moves would include Finley, who is tied for the major-league lead with 12 homers; Aaron Rowand; Ross Gload; Timo Perez; Willie Harris; Andres Torres; and either Reed or Borchard, assuming the Diamondbacks didn't want them Phil Rogers is dilussional if he thinks Sox fans would be happy trading guys like Lee, Mags, Cotts and our top prospects in order to be able to have Randy and Finley. Give me a damn break. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Capn12 Posted May 20, 2004 Share Posted May 20, 2004 Even still after the Perfect Game...i dont wan't what will be a 41 year old pitcher making $16 MILLION in 2005, even if some is deferred. It would go against everything cheapass JR has stood for so far...and would pretty much guarantee a signifigantly different Sox team...IMO for the worse Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DBAHO Posted May 20, 2004 Share Posted May 20, 2004 Moving Maggs for a bunch of prospects is an interstin query, I think if the Dodgers miss out on Beltran, if he's traded to the Yanks, that DePodesta would really overpay for Maggs to get another quality bat in that lineup. We could still get two out of James Loney, Greg Miller and Edwin Jackson if we possibly did that. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
qwerty Posted May 20, 2004 Share Posted May 20, 2004 Moving Maggs for a bunch of prospects is an interstin query, I think if the Dodgers miss out on Beltran, if he's traded to the Yanks, that DePodesta would really overpay for Maggs to get another quality bat in that lineup. We could still get two out of James Loney, Greg Miller and Edwin Jackson if we possibly did that. No way for a rental, but i guess if they will have a deal set up with maggs to sign an extension it is a possibility. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
YASNY Posted May 20, 2004 Share Posted May 20, 2004 This in no way jives with the history of the Reinsdorf "regime". The Sox just don't do things this way. Too much money involved. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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