Team Infidel
Forum Spin Doctor
ANDREW BAGNATO
Associated Press
PHOENIX - Randy Johnson left a big hole in the Arizona Diamondbacks' rotation two years ago.
Now the club hopes he fills it again.
Johnson took his physical Monday, and the Diamondbacks scheduled a Tuesday news conference as their deal to reacquire the Big Unit from the New York Yankees neared completion.
Johnson needs no introduction to Arizona fans. The Big Unit's best years were in Arizona, where he was 103-49 in six seasons and won four Cy Young Awards before going to the Yankees in a trade he sought in 2005.
After two difficult seasons in New York, Johnson returns to the Diamondbacks with a two-year, $26 million contract. The 43-year-old left-hander, who is waiving his no-trade clause, is being acquired for right-handed reliever Luis Vizcaino and minor league right-handers Ross Ohlendorf and Steven Jackson, and shortstop Alberto Gonzalez.
New York also agreed to pay $2 million of Johnson's salary this year. Because of the cash involved, the deal is subject to approval by commissioner Bud Selig.
Although the Diamondbacks made no comment on the physical, the team scheduled a 3 p.m. EST news conference in the home clubhouse at Chase Field. The news conference didn't mention Johnson by name, but Arizona already had confirmed agreements in principal with the Yankees last Thursday and with Johnson on Sunday, so the subject was clear.
The Diamondbacks hope Johnson will help them end a three-year streak of losing seasons, the longest in their nine-year history.
At a news conference Monday in Yankee Stadium, new Yankees pitcher Kei Igawa said he felt "a great sadness" about the prospect of not being Johnson's teammate, but no added pressure because of the left-hander's impending departure.
"Regardless of who's here, there's going to be questions in our rotation," Yankees general manager Brian Cashman said. "They're fair questions."