Johnson Contemplates Joining ‘98 Expansion Diamondbacks

Mariners Cy Young winner Randy Johnson is thinking of joining the Arizona Diamondbacks when the expansion team begins play in 1998, the Arizona Republic and Phoenix Gazette reported Saturday.

Johnson’s contract with the M’s, whom he pitched into the A.L. playoffs last season, expires after the 1997 season.

“I’ve got two years left here and then I’ll be coming down, playing with the Diamondbacks,” Johnson said.

Johnson has purchased a house in the Phoenix suburb of Peoria, where the Mariners hold spring training, as his new off-season residence.

Players upped their arbitration record to 7-2 when Chuck Knoblauch beat the Minnesota Twins and was awarded a $4.67 million salary for 1996. However, Philadelphia pitcher Willie Banks became the second player to lose this year.