Why would the Yankees trade the Big Unit?

Question

I heard on the radio this morning that the Yankees are in negotiations with the Arizona Diamondbacks about trading Randy Johnson. Why would they trade him? He is a consistent starting pitcher and just, well, The Big Unit. It just seems wrong to me. I know there was talk last year about having such a full bull pin (even after Lidle was killed) could that have anything to do with it? And even if it does shouldn't they be trading a pitcher with a poorer performance?

Answer 1

Okay, Randy Johnson is extremely old, almost as old as Clemens and no where near where Clemens is even in his half-seasons. Don't get me wrong, Johnson is still a good pitcher. However, i think the Yankees have realized through trial and failure that old pitching is very unreliable. They would want to recieve some good pitching prospects in a very deep Arizona farm system. They have Phillip Hughes and Humberto Sanchez and others already and to add more would be great. The Yanks can then mold these farmhands to what the Yankees want them to be and will get at least if nothing else some extra years pitching. You figure at least some of these top prospects have to turn into very productive players. Johnson may even want to go back to Arizona just for the location. Hope this helps, it all comes down to age and that dangerous word, potential.

Answer 2

Johnson still is a good pitcher, but not great. He has never quite fit in with the NYY organization and he is getting old.

It is always hard to tell about Yankees trade talks, so I would rather wait and see what happens next. Johnson has a no trade clause so he can block the trade if he does not want to go back to Arizona.

Answer 3

He's 42 soon to be 43 years old and is fading fast. The Yankees are trying to trade him for a 32 year old middle relief pitcher and another younger starter to be named. Randy really hasn't been welcomed here in his two years. His moody and downright nasty disposition has kept the fans from taking to him. Yes he's been consistent but sometimes that's just not enough.

Answer 4

Actually, he hasn't been a consistent pitcher at all since he's been in NY, and certainly not worth the $16 mil they're paying him. The young starters they're talking about getting are all top notch prospects (they'll get one or two of them) and the relievers are servicable. They wouldn't get such prospects for Pavano. Hate to say it, but the Yanks would actually be making their second good move of the offseason in picking up more young arms (two of those they got from the Tigers for Sheffield are studs). Wang, Moose, Pettitte are still a fair top three.

Answer 5

He's getting old, I'm pretty sure he's 43. Also his ERA has gone up a full run in each of the past two seasons, from around 3.xx to 5.xx. And if they can get some young players who are good, not only could they be good now but they could be good in the future. Also he has a big contract which they'd be getting rid of.

Overall it's a decent move if they can get the right players.

Answer 6

Firstly Randy has expressed a desire to return to Az to be nearer home and secondly his performances in the AL have not been that impressive.

To free up $ and a possible spot for Roger Clemens and adding some top tier prospects, the Yankees would be silly not to explore moving the $16m bust.

Answer 7

He's old, overpaid, has a bad back that keeps him from being effective power pitcher, doesn't get strike outs, has had a ballooning ERA and mediocre record.

And HE doesn't want to pitch in NY anymore, where the expectations are so high because he knows he cannot meet those expectations. He'd rather go back to Phoenix where the fans are mellower and still remember him winning a WS for them.

Answer 8

He is getting on with his age and for the most part doesn't have the zip on his pitches that he once had with Seattle and Arizona. He can still be considered today as an overpaid average arm but still not a bad addition seeing is how he'll probably sell some tickets whenever he makes a start.

Answer 9

He did not fit in the Bronx. Despite his high ERA (5.01 last season) he manages to get 17 wins.... Is a good pitcher, but not great, and certanly, not a 16Million/Year dude. He will be better in an NL team, near his home and the Yankees will free some money to invest (hopefully) in younger pitching.

Answer 10

He's 43 years old, makes about 8 million a year, had an under .500 season in 2006, and the Yankees need to start cutting some of that higest in the league payroll they had last year. The guy just isn't worth what he is getting paid.