Yankees Finally Get Their Man, Acquiring Johnson in a Trade

[Emboldened Chimp]

(Buh-bye Sox)

The New York Times
December 31, 2004
Yankees Finally Get Their Man, Acquiring Johnson in a Trade
By LEE JENKINS

The Yankees officially turned the calendar yesterday on the Year of the Red Sox. In the final hours of 2004, their principal owner, George Steinbrenner, let it be known once again that every year is to be the Yankees' year.

Randy Johnson, who at 6 feet 10 inches is one of the tallest pitchers in baseball history and is certainly one of the most accomplished, has become the newest symbol of the Yankees' size, strength and power.

The Yankees agreed in principle to a trade yesterday with the Arizona Diamondbacks that has been six months in the works. The Yankees will send the right-hander Javier Vazquez, the left-hander Brad Halsey, the catching prospect Dioner Navarro and $8.5 million to $9 million to Arizona for one of the best left-handers ever.

http://www.nytimes.com/2004/12/31/sports/baseball/31johnson.html?hp&ex=1104555600&en=b2f5f6b388a87912&ei=5094&partner=homepage

[rocktivity]

1. Yawn

I guess they still haven't figured out that it's not all about having the best team that money can buy...

:boring:
rocknation

[kaitykaity]

2. If he stays healthy, well fine.

He's what, 42 or something? I remember when Seattle
passed on extending his contract because of concerns
about his back.

Not to wish bad things for the Unit, but it'd be sweet
revenge on Steinbrenner if Johnson did get hurt early
in the year.

[cruadin]

3. Yeah---and in '04 it was all over but the crying....

for the rest of the division when the all-powerful, globe-straddling Yanquis signed A-Rod before the Red Sox could close a deal on him.

The Boston Red Sox--Champions of the World!!

[Rican1]

4. Prediction - Vasquez will have a better year than Johnson

I think Vasquez will have a lower E.R.A. than Johnson next year. Johnson was great but next year he's going to finally pitch his age. Also, he had a 4+ E.R.A. his last year in the A.L.

Bush Sucks!

[Yavin4]

6. HAHAHA!!

Yeah right!

[Princess Turandot]

12. I trust you think the same thing about David Wells..

who comes to the Red Sox as old and without the talents of Johnson, except perhaps for fighting with utensils in late night diners!

[Princess Turandot]

14. I'm not sorry to see Vasquez go..

he seemed incapable of making pitching adjustments which would have improved his performance, not matter how many times they were pointed out to him. Maybe he belongs in the National League. He seems eager to return to it.

In Johnson's last year with Seattle, the team ERA was 4.95, and they went 76-85. After Pinella became manager in 1993, Johnson won 75% of his games while in the AL. Who knows what any of this means for thr 2005 season.

[TolstoyAndy]

5. Buh-bye Sox?

Excuse me, but the World Champion Red Sox are still the nightmare
that awakens Steinbrenner in a cold sweat.

If we can get to Rivera, we can get to Johnson.
Pay-Rod didn't do it for you, and neither will Johnson.

Be afraid. Be very afraid.
I'll keep chanting "year 2000" whenever I see a Yankee fan.

Buh-bye my ass.

[Emboldened Chimp]

11. All biases aside, I don't think the Sox will repeat as Champs

They've lost their best pitcher, Schilling will be haunted by his injury (he is older, which makes it harder to recoup), and the magic that enraptured them last year simply won't be there. I could be wrong, but the Sox, imo, will be a much different team next year--and not in a good way.

[WilliamPitt]

15. Don't. Care.

[Yavin4]

7. I'd Love It If RJ Threw A Perfect Game Against The Sox

On opening day in bean town. They raise their banner and then get shut out!!! HAHAHAHA!!!

Yes, the curse is over, but a new era of Yankee domination begins again!

[TolstoyAndy]

8. ?

I believe the Sox-Spankmees record in the last 2 years is 27-25, including postseason.

You think one 40-year-old pitcher is going to bring you "domination"?

[Princess Turandot]

13. You think that one World Series win in 8 decades will bring the

Red Sox domination?

Johnson could very well physically break down, but I suspect he's a guy who wants to prove something this year, and with last season's performance I wouldn't bet against him. Do what Clemens did when he moved over to the NL at an equally antiquated age. Meet his friend Curt (Bush-loving) Schitting once again. Etc. Etc.

My biggest complaint is the way he looks. Definitely brings down our GQ ratings.

[MaineDem]

9. Like we're worried!

Ha ha ha

To be honest, I don't care what the Yankees do - we have our Championship. The one my father never lived to see. The Red Sox are World Champions and nothing's going to change that.

What team is the only one to be up 3-0 and go on to lose a 7-game series? Huh???

Sorry, I'm acting like a pre-2004 Yankees fan. Forgive me. :evilgrin:

[Forkboy]

10. Johnson's record vs Red Sox

8-6 with a 4.41 ERA...his highest ERA against any AL team.

I doubt the Sox bats are nervous.

[GOPBasher]

16. Yankees just buy all the talent they want. I used to be a Yankee fan, but

not anymore. It's so stupid. I got no joy from them winning every year, because I knew it was only because they were outspending their opponents like 10-1.

I'm not a baseball fan anymore, and I won't be until they get a hard salary cap for every team and they lose the steroids.