The New York Yankees and the Arizona Diamondbacks have reportedly agreed to a tentative deal that would send 43-year old left-handed starter Randy Johnson back to the team he won the World Series with in 2001, the Diamondbacks, for reliever Luis Vizcaino and three prospects, namely pitchers Ross Ohlendorf and Steven Jackson and shortstop Alberto Gonzalez. The Yankees would also pay in between $1.5-2 million of Johnson's 2007 salary.
"The Big Unit" went 17-11 and posted a pedestrian 5 ERA last season. He underwent back surgery in the off-season, but it is not expected to affect him on the mound. However, Johnson did experience nagging back problems in his two-year tenure with New York.
The Yankees did not get Brandon Medders, the reliever they most wanted back in the deal, back they did get a very serviceable pitcher in Vizcaino. The 32-year old right-hander had a 3.58 ERA and struck out 72 in 65.1 innings of relief last season.
They also only got one of the several prospects they sought from Arizona, that prospect being Ohlendorf. Micah Owings was at the top of New York's list, but the Diamondbacks did not want to move him. The 25-year old Ohlendorf went 10-8 with a 3.29 ERA at Double-A Tennessee last year, and in limited time at Tucson, posted a 1.28 ERA.
The second minor-league pitcher the Yankees got back in return was the 24-year old Jackson, who had a record of 8-11 and an ERA of 2.65 last season in 24 starts with Tennessee.
The 24-year old shortstop Gonzalez, the only minor-leaguer in the deal who is not a pitcher, hit .290 with six home runs, 20 doubles, and 50 RBI last year for Tennessee. He went 3-for-15 at the plate (good for a .200 average) in four games at Tucson.
The Yankees also made another move earlier in the day, signing first baseman Doug Mientkiewicz to a one-year, $1.5 million contract. The 32-year old batted .283 with four homers, 24 doubles, and 43 RBI in 314 at bats with the Kansas City Royals last season. He also boasted a .359 on base percentage. Mientkiewicz is a lifetime .270 hitter.
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