Johnson reaches agreement with Yanks
Randy Johnson and the New York Yankees reached a preliminary agreement Thursday on a $32 million, two-year contract extension, leaving a physical as the last step needed to finalize Arizona’s trade.
Arizona will receive pitchers Javier Vazquez and Brad Halsey, catcher Dioner Navarro and $9 million.
Johnson, 41, is a five-time Cy Young Award winner.
Meanwhile, the Diamondbacks and Los Angeles Dodgers slugger Shawn Green failed to reach an agreement on a contract extension by the deadline, leaving a tentative trade in jeopardy of falling through.
Cleveland closes in on Millwood
Free-agent right-hander Kevin Millwood and the Cleveland Indians are a phone call or two away from agreement on a $7 million, one-year contract. Millwood had two 18-win seasons and went 75-41 in six seasons with the Atlanta Braves, who traded him to Philadelphia in 2002.
White Sox land Pierzynski
The Chicago White Sox got the veteran catcher they’ve been lacking, agreeing to a $2.25 million, one-year deal with A.J. Pierzynski.
Pierzynski, who was traded from Minnesota to San Francisco last season, is a career .294 hitter who has batted better than .300 twice and was an All-Star in 2003.
Clearing the bases
All-Star shortstop Jack Wilson and Pittsburgh avoided salary arbitration by agreeing to an $8 million, two-year contract. Wilson, 27, was the first Pittsburgh shortstop in 96 years with more than 200 hits in a season. … Free-agent second baseman Mark Grudzielanek agreed to a $1 million, one-year contract with St. Louis. Grudzielanek, 34, batted .307 with six homers and 23 RBIs in 81 games for the Chicago Cubs last season. … First baseman/outfielder Brad Wilkerson agreed to a $3.05 million, one-year contract with the Washington Nationals. Wilkerson hit .255 with 32 homers, 67 RBIs and 112 runs last season and was voted Montreal’s MVP. … Free-agent catcher Gregg Zaun agreed to a one-year contract with Toronto that guarantees him $1.05 million. Zaun, 33, hit .269 with six homers and 36 RBIs in 107 games with Toronto last season. … Right-hander Ismael Valdez and Florida agreed to a one-year contract. Valdez was 14-9 with a 5.13 ERA last year for San Diego and Florida. … The New York Mets traded catcher Vance Wilson to Detroit for minor league infielder Anderson Hernandez.