According to the Associated Press, Randy Johnson agreed to a two-year, $26MM deal with the Diamondbacks. This complex, drawn out trade will probably be finalized Tuesday.
Josh Byrnes has come up with a couple of solid southpaws in Johnson and Doug Davis to bolster his 2007-08 rotations. Coupled with the acquisitions of Chris Young, Orlando Hudson, Alberto Callaspo and Juan Cruz, I’d say Byrnes is doing quite well. Additionally, the D’Backs signed Brandon Webb to a long-term deal a year ago, before he won the Cy Young. They have Webb at a good price through 2010; he would’ve reached free agency after 2008.
The Johnson acquisition will create a fierce spring training competition for Arizona’s fifth starter job this year. Juan Cruz, Dana Eveland, Edgar Gonzalez, Enrique Gonzalez, and Dustin Nippert will fight for the vacancy. That group of fifth starter candidates could outpitch some teams’ rotations (ahem, Washington).
