[Vision2020] Say It Aint So, Randy

[Tom Hansen]

Randy Johnson, one of baseball's greatest pitchers, has signed with "them".

>From today's (January 7, 2005) Spokesman Review Sports section.

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Johnson reaches agreement with Yanks 
Associated Press
January 7, 2005

Randy Johnson and the New York Yankees reached a preliminary agreement
Thursday on a $32 million, two-year contract extension, leaving a physical
as the last step needed to finalize Arizona's trade.

Arizona will receive pitchers Javier Vazquez and Brad Halsey, catcher Dioner
Navarro and $9 million.

Johnson, 41, is a five-time Cy Young Award winner.

Meanwhile, the Diamondbacks and Los Angeles Dodgers slugger Shawn Green
failed to reach an agreement on a contract extension by the deadline,
leaving a tentative trade in jeopardy of falling through.

Cleveland closes in on Millwood

 
Free-agent right-hander Kevin Millwood and the Cleveland Indians are a phone
call or two away from agreement on a $7 million, one-year contract. Millwood
had two 18-win seasons and went 75-41 in six seasons with the Atlanta
Braves, who traded him to Philadelphia in 2002.


White Sox land Pierzynski

The Chicago White Sox got the veteran catcher they've been lacking, agreeing
to a $2.25 million, one-year deal with A.J. Pierzynski.

Pierzynski, who was traded from Minnesota to San Francisco last season, is a
career .294 hitter who has batted better than .300 twice and was an All-Star
in 2003. 

Clearing the bases

All-Star shortstop Jack Wilson and Pittsburgh avoided salary arbitration by
agreeing to an $8 million, two-year contract. Wilson, 27, was the first
Pittsburgh shortstop in 96 years with more than 200 hits in a season. .
Free-agent second baseman Mark Grudzielanek agreed to a $1 million, one-year
contract with St. Louis. Grudzielanek, 34, batted .307 with six homers and
23 RBIs in 81 games for the Chicago Cubs last season. . First
baseman/outfielder Brad Wilkerson agreed to a $3.05 million, one-year
contract with the Washington Nationals. Wilkerson hit .255 with 32 homers,
67 RBIs and 112 runs last season and was voted Montreal's MVP. . Free-agent
catcher Gregg Zaun agreed to a one-year contract with Toronto that
guarantees him $1.05 million. Zaun, 33, hit .269 with six homers and 36 RBIs
in 107 games with Toronto last season. . Right-hander Ismael Valdez and
Florida agreed to a one-year contract. Valdez was 14-9 with a 5.13 ERA last
year for San Diego and Florida. . The New York Mets traded catcher Vance
Wilson to Detroit for minor league infielder Anderson Hernandez.

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Take care,

Tom Hansen