Megadeal still in works
The New York Yankees, Arizona and Los Angeles spent Friday trying to put the finishing touches on the megadeal that would move All-Stars Randy Johnson, Shawn Green and Javier Vazquez.
A day after the three teams quickly put the major players in place, the clubs worked to resolve the issues still holding up the trade – money, mostly.
Even if there is an agreement to put Johnson in Yankee pinstripes, New York plans to ask for a 72-hour window to negotiate a contract extension with the Big Unit before completing the swap.
The Yankees were willing to send Vazquez and top prospects Dioner Navarro and Eric Duncan to Los Angeles as a way to get Johnson. Los Angeles would deal Green and pitchers Brad Penny and Yhency Brazoban to the Diamondbacks.
“We’re at the point where we’ve decided the best thing we can do is have no comment,” Arizona managing partner Ken Kendrick said.
Johnson and Green both have no-trade clauses. While Johnson wants to play for the Yankees, Green may want to stay close to home in Southern California.
“I think Shawn always envisioned finishing his career with the Dodgers,” agent Greg Genske said. “But if a trade is put in place, he’s going to consider all of his options.”
At 41, Johnson is owed $16 million in the last year of his contract. The five-time Cy Young winner has long caught the eye of Yankees owner George Steinbrenner, who spent the afternoon meeting with top club officials at Legends Field, their spring training home.
After losing free agents Adrian Beltre and Steve Finley, Los Angeles may be reluctant to trade away its lone remaining power hitter. Plus, there’s a money matter: Vazquez is due $35.5 million over the next three years, and the Dodgers might want the Yankees to pick up some of that.
Red Sox add Renteria, Clement
Edgar Renteria’s first choice was to remain in St. Louis, until the Boston Red Sox gave him an offer too good to turn down.
Losing ace pitcher Pedro Martinez may have given Boston the means to seal the four-year, $40 million deal for the All-Star shortstop who made the last out for St. Louis in Boston’s World Series sweep of the Cardinals.
“I’m not so sure the Edgar Renteria signing, for example, would have been possible if we had signed Pedro Martinez,” Red Sox general manager Theo Epstein said. “It certainly opens doors to build a more complete roster.
Meanwhile, ESPN is reporting Boston also agreed to a three-year, $25.5 million deal with former Spokane Indians pitcher Matt Clement. Clement went 9-13 with a 3.58 ERA with the Chicago Cubs last year.
Martinez blasts Boston
Pedro Martinez returned home and bashed the team he led to a World Series title. He knocked Boston for its front-office moves and negotiating tactics, and predicted a rough season awaits the Red Sox.
“They will field the best bad team in baseball history,” Martinez said at a news conference.
One day after he was introduced by the New York Mets – who signed him to a four-year, $53 million contract – Martinez criticized the Red Sox for firing key employees, including team doctor Bill Morgan.
Martinez said he was “dumbfounded” to hear that fellow Dominican Manny Ramirez could be mentioned as possible trade bait after winning the World Series Most Valuable Player.
The three-time Cy Young Award winner said the Mets “have shown more respect in days than Boston did in seven years.”
Around the league
The Cardinals agreed to terms on a two-year contract with left-handed reliever Ray King. … The Chicago White Sox agreed to terms with outfielder Timo Perez on a $1 million, one-year deal, avoiding arbitration. … Bobby Mattick, who managed the Toronto Blue Jays in 1980 and ‘81, died at 89. Mattick died Thursday night after a stroke earlier in the day at his Scottsdale, Ariz., home.