Friday, July 30, 2004
The Giants and Padres are interested in acquiring the Big Unit.
By PHIL ROGERS
CHICAGO TRIBUNE
CHICAGO -- George Steinbrenner isn't going to be able to buy himself a new toy this time.
The Arizona Diamondbacks, to the delight of 28 other teams, have broken off talks with the New York Yankees, according to a highly placed Major League Baseball source.
But that doesn't necessarily mean Johnson plans to stay put with the Diamondbacks, who set a franchise record with 20 losses in May and already have broken it with 21 in July.
According to the source, there are "a couple" of potential Johnson deals that could be completed before Saturday's 4 p.m. deadline for waiver-free trades.
The teams showing late interest are the San Diego Padres and San Francisco Giants, both of whom could complicate the Cubs' push for a wild-card spot.
Finley
San Diego, along with Los Angeles, also is a favorite to acquire Southern Illinois' Steve Finley from Arizona. It was the Diamondbacks center fielder who sparked an interesting conversation between Johnson and Padres infielder Mark Loretta at the All-Star Game.
"He brought up Steve Finley to me," Loretta told the San Diego Union-Tribune. "He said, 'So, are you guys going to get Finley?' I said, 'You probably know more than I do. I have no idea.' I said, 'What about you?'
"He said, 'Well, I have a year and a half to go on my contract. I feel like I'm pitching as well as I ever have and I feel like I can go somewhere and contribute to a winning team."'
Loretta said he asked Johnson how he would feel about coming to San Diego.
"He said, 'I'd love that,"' Loretta said. "'I think that ballpark's great for pitchers, and you guys have a nice team.' He said, 'I don't know whether Arizona is too keen on trading me inter division. But if it came down to it and they asked me to waive my no-trade, I would."'
So much for those reports that said Johnson would approve a trade only to the Yankees.
San Francisco
The Giants almost slipped in at the end to steal Greg Maddux from the Cubs in February. Their primary need now is for a closer, but they have been monitoring the Johnson negotiations closely. He's a Bay Area native who would seem a good fit for the Giants' park.
Peter Magowan isn't known for spending money, but he wants to get back to the World Series before Barry Bonds is done. Sources indicated the Giants were working to trade Ray Durham or Edgardo Alfonzo, which might make it easier to pay Johnson, who is to earn $16 million this year and in 2005.
Bonds has pushed management to get serious about a deal for Johnson.
"Things happen," he told the San Francisco Chronicle. "You can't assume they'll let him go. I hope they'll let him go to us. He'd help us win, no matter what. He wants to go out a winner like any of us do. He deserves that, too, like any good player deserves to. If the Diamondbacks are going to rebuild, give him a chance to win. Give us a chance."
Teams never like to trade within their division, but it's unlikely the Diamondbacks can contend next season, with or without Johnson. That's why Arizona general manager Joe Garagiola Jr. has said he's not opposed to dealing his prized commodity within the National League West.
Jose Mesa, who is 29-for-30 in save situations, would just as soon stay with Pittsburgh as be traded. He has drawn the interest of the Cubs, Atlanta, San Francisco, St. Louis, Oakland and the Yankees.
"Only two teams even wanted me when I was a free agent," Mesa said, referring to his minor-league offers from Baltimore and Pittsburgh. "Twenty-eight other teams had the chance to sign me, but said, 'No thank you.' I remember that."