Big Unit Rumblings
LHP Randy Johnson is the lone free-agent eligible D-backs player not to file. The two sides met recently to discuss keeping Johnson in an Arizona uniform as he pursues his 300th victory.
Reaching an agreement could be tough given the fact that the D-backs have less than $10 million to spend this offseason and must use some of that to find a second baseman.
Johnson would probably accept a hometown discount, but how much of one remains to be seen. The D-backs paid him $10 million last year.
Randy will need to decide if getting 300 wins with Arizona is more important than money. He has already made his millions, but I have never seen a player of his caliper take a pay cut at this stage in their career. He may be old, but there is only one Big Unit. Only time will tell.
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I think if Randy would be willing to take a pay cut to about 4 million then he might have a chance to get 300 wins with the Diamondbacks. More then that let him go and go else where he is injury prone and does being in arizona uniform mean that much.
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I'm a die-hard Diamondbacks fan and am always thinking about the future first (EXTENDING WEBB'S CONTRACT, finding a second baseman, etc....) but I think bringing Johnson back to get 300 wins as a Diamondback is 2nd priority to extending Webb's contract (if we don't do that, I'll lose a lot of respect for our front office....and I have the up-most respect for them, the best front office in baseball). I just cannot imagine Randy Johnson getting his 300th win in any other uniform. He is a Diamondback legend for sure and will be going into the Hall of Fame as a Diamondback. Let him get this last milestone and spend his last season in Arizona. If he costs $6-10 million, than so-be-it. Shell out the money if we have to, but bring Johnson back for one last run.
If we honestly do not have the money, make Augie or Burke (yes, I still believe in him) our second baseman and have our bench a rookie/Tracy laden group.
BRING JOHNSON BACK!
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Although having RJ score his 300th win in a D'back's uniform is important, a paycut is mandatory as we need that second baseman and someone with a bat. Chris Burke is not the peice but Augie seems to have very strong defense but not power in hitting. I would spend the $10 mil on shoring up our bullpen (awful last year) keep Augie and teach Chris Young how to hit. Upton has really caught on this past year and still there is more upside to come from him. If Byrnes can get healthy again he can play center and keep CoJack in left. Can not lose CoJack's bat. A .300 average is something you want playing everyday not a .230 hitter like Young.
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I understand Montero is also on the blocks. Need to have a backup for Snyder. Hammock? Trade Montero for a middle infield prospect in case Augie cannot get it done. Spend some money on Juan Cruz and Lyon for the 8th inning spot and keep Qualls as the closer. Scherzer is a good starter but we need a consistant lefty starter in AAA to replace Johnson in 2010. I have good feelings about '09 as the bats mature but we lost too many games to poor pitching in late innings last season
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