Baseball: Johnson step closer to desert
Randy Johnson’s agents started talks Friday with the Diamondbacks for a contract extension that would allow Arizona to acquire the Big Unit from the New York Yankees.
Arizona and New York reached a tentative agreement on a 4-for-1 trade Thursday, and the Diamondbacks were granted a 72-hour window to negotiate with Johnson. The window closes at 5 p.m. EST Sunday.
“We’re making progress. We’re going to talk again tomorrow,” said Barry Meister, who represents Johnson along with Alan Nero.
New York would receive reliever Luis Vizcaino and minor league right-handers Ross Ohlendorf and Steven Jackson, and shortstop Alberto Gonzalez.
The Yankees also would pay $2 million of Johnson’s $16 million salary this year.
After the extension for 2008 is agreed to, the players would take physicals, the final step for the trade to be finalized.
No room for Williams
It appears the Yankees might not have room for Bernie Williams anymore.
The Yankees finalized their $1.5 million, one-year contract with Doug Mientkiewicz, and general manager Brian Cashman said he will be part of a platoon at first base with Andy Phillips or Josh Phelps.
With Jason Giambi shifting to designated hitter and the Yankees planning to keep 12 pitchers, that leaves them with no spots open for Williams – unless they trade Melky Cabrera.
Murcer recovers
Former Yankees star Bobby Murcer is back home in Oklahoma and doing well following surgery last week to remove a brain tumor.
The former Yankees star was released from a Houston hospital Sunday evening.
Alou back with Giants
Felipe Alou formally rejoined the San Francisco Giants as a special assistant to general manager Brian Sabean, a move that was in the works since the team decided in October that Alou would not return as manager.
It will be Alou’s 52nd season in professional baseball.
Around the majors
Chicago White Sox shortstop Juan Uribe may sit out the 2007 season after a judge ordered him to make twice-monthly court appearances in a Dominican Republic shooting case. … Infielder Mark Loretta could have received more money and possibly a full-time starting job with another team. In the end, the two-time All-Star decided that Houston was the place for him. Loretta passed on offers from Texas and Cincinnati before signing with the Astros. … Outfielder Roger Cedeno agreed to a minor league contract with the Baltimore Orioles after a 1 1/2-season layoff. … The Toronto Blue Jays will replace the New York Mets as Baltimore’s opponent in this year’s Hall of Fame game on May 21. The Mets and Orioles earlier were announced as opponents, but the change was made after ESPN moved the Mets’ game against the Yankees the previous day to an 8:05 p.m. start.