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RJ Done Deal Off to Selig

http://redsox.bostonherald.com/redSox/view.bg?articleid=59602

Johnson deal done: Yanks' trade for Unit awaits Selig's OK
By George King/ New York Post
Sunday, December 19, 2004


NEW YORK - The Yankees, Dodgers and Diamondbacks completed the paperwork yesterday on a blockbuster deal that would put Randy Johnson in pinstripes and submitted the forms to commissioner Bud Selig's office.

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Now they wait for Selig to examine them to make sure the language regarding deferred money is right and grant the Yankees and Diamondbacks 72-hour windows to negotiate contract extensions with Johnson and Shawn Green, respectively.

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``(Selig) could do that as soon as today, but it's more likely that the window will be granted Monday or the first thing Tuesday morning,'' a source said. While rumors circulated yesterday that Green wouldn't waive his no-trade clause, the source said that was erroneous, and the deal will eventually be completed.
<TABLE cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=0><TBODY><TR><TD height=8><SPACER height="8" type="block" width="8"></TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE> The Yanks signing off on the paperwork means they have figured out ways to convert the perks in Johnson's contract into cash. In Johnson's case, there is likely going to be an extra 71 hours left on the clock because the Yankees have known since July that the 41-year-old future Hall of Famer wants a contract for 2006 to delete his no-trade clause.
<TABLE cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=0><TBODY><TR><TD height=8><SPACER height="8" type="block" width="8"></TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE> He will likely get one for about $16 million, the same salary he will earn this coming season. There is also a chance that Johnson and the Yankees ink a two-year extension for $32 million. Even then, the difference between having Johnson and Javier Vazquez for the next three seasons is $5 million a year. Green may not agree with Arizona as quickly as Johnson and the Yankees, but will sign an extension.
<TABLE cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=0><TBODY><TR><TD height=8><SPACER height="8" type="block" width="8"></TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE> ``Shawn enjoys playing and living in Southern California,'' agent Greg Genske said yesterday. ``If the Dodgers decide to move him, at that point we will look at the options available to him. But until the commissioner approves it, we haven't heard a thing outside of all the stories.''
<TABLE cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=0><TBODY><TR><TD height=8><SPACER height="8" type="block" width="8"></TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE> Once Selig approves it and the clubs negotiate extensions, Johnson would undergo a physical. Even though he has a right knee that requires synthetic gel to keep it lubricated, back problems and a left arm with a lot of innings logged, Johnson is expected to pass the physical. He will then join newcomers Carl Pavano and Jaret Wright and holdovers Mike Mussina and Kevin Brown in a rebuilt rotation.
<TABLE cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=0><TBODY><TR><TD height=8><SPACER height="8" type="block" width="8"></TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE> The deal works this way. The Dodgers send Green, right-hander Brad Penny, reliever Yhency Brazoban and pitcher Brandon Weeden to Arizona. Penny's physical could be a hurdle since he missed time last year with a biceps nerve problem. The Diamondbacks move Johnson and reliever Mike Koplove to the Dodgers. The Yankees ship Vazquez and prospects Dioner Navarro and Eric Duncan to the Dodgers.
<TABLE cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=0><TBODY><TR><TD height=8><SPACER height="8" type="block" width="8"></TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE> The Dodgers complete the puzzle by sending Johnson and likely Kaz Ishii to the Yankees, who will pay $2 million of the $5 million left on the contract. With five starters, the Yankees may be getting Ishii to deal him. The Mets expressed interest in the Japanese lefty at the winter meetings.
 
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