Yankees out of race for Big Unit

December 2, 200421 yr

NEW YORK -- The Yankees are out of the Randy Johnson race. At least for now.

A baseball official told MLB.com that Arizona's asking price for the Big Unit is simply too high for New York, and that the Yankees are likely out of the running to land the five-time Cy Young Award winner.

Arizona was asking New York for a package which included Javier Vazquez, Tom Gordon, prospects Eric Duncan and Chien-Ming Wang, another prospect and cash considerations between $12-20 million. The Diamondbacks also asked the Yankees to acquire another pitcher from a list of 10 -- Oakland's Tim Hudson and Barry Zito, Florida's A.J. Burnett, Detroit's Jeremy Bonderman, Toronto's Ted Lilly, Los Angeles' Edwin Jackson, Tampa Bay's Scott Kazmir, Colorado's Shawn Chacon and Jason Jennings, and Texas' Kenny Rogers -- to include in the deal as well.

"If that's what their demands are," said the official, "[the Yankees are] probably out of it altogether."

This news comes on the same day that an ESPN report indicated that a deal was imminent to send Johnson to the Bronx.

The baseball official said that if Arizona's demands don't come down, the Yankees would likely be out of the picture in terms of landing Johnson this winter. That would leave the Yankees to pursue pitchers on the free-agent market, including Pedro Martinez, Carl Pavano and Matt Clement.

Neither Yankees general manager Brian Cashman nor D-Backs GM Joe Garagiola Jr. was available for comment.

Arizona, which listened to offers for the Big Unit last summer, would love to erase his $16 million salary from the books for 2005. But Johnson has a full no-trade clause, and it is believed that he would only approve a deal to the Bronx.

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The offseason has been slow for the Yankees, who are close to re-signing backup catcher John Flaherty and possibly second baseman Miguel Cairo.

"I don't think we're close to anything major at all," said one Yankees official, who said that things could pick up after the Dec. 7 free-agent arbitration deadline.

New York, which was reportedly close to reaching an agreement with left-hander Eric Milton, may wind up signing the southpaw at some point, though a deal is not imminent.

After declining the $8 million option for Jon Lieber last month, the Yankees are talking with the right-hander's agent about a multi-year contract.

"We're in touch, but I wouldn't characterize where we are," said Rex Gary, who represents Lieber. "We're still talking. We'll see which way it goes."

Gary said that Lieber has no specific timetable to sign a deal.

"One phone call could change things," Gary said. "If Jon finds the appropriate situation and deal, he'd sign quickly. Or it may take 2-3 weeks or longer."

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