Around the Majors: Randy Johnson trade

1) The Yankees and Diamondbacks have agreed on the players for their trade–Randy Johnson for Ps Javier Vazquez and Brad Halsey, C Dioner Navarro and $9 million. The deal won’t be officially completed until next week.

After 2.32 ERA/62 RSAA and 4.26 ERA/6 RSAA seasons, Johnson had a 2.60 ERA/50 RSAA in 35 starts. He has a 3.07 career ERA, compared to his league average of 4.35, and 511 RSAA in 489 games.

Johnson ranks 6th on the career RSAA list (since 1900, he’s 8th including the 19th century)–

RSAA            
1    Lefty Grove                 668   
2    Roger Clemens               645   
3    Walter Johnson              643   
4    Greg Maddux                 553   
5    Grover C Alexander          524   
6    Randy Johnson               511   
7    Pedro Martinez              477   
8    Christy Mathewson           405   
9    Tom Seaver                  404   
10   Carl Hubbell                355   

After 3.91 ERA/6 RSAA and 3.24 ERA/48 RSAA seasons, Vazquez had a 4.91 ERA/-10 RSAA in 32 starts. He has a 4.26 career ERA, compared to his league average of 4.40, and 42 RSAA in 224 games.

Navarro was 3 for 7 in his first 5 career games.

Halsey had a 6.47 ERA/-7 RSAA in his first 7 career starts (8 games).

2) According to the LA Times, the Dodgers and Diamondbacks could be working on a Shawn Green for Dioner Navarro trade, with other players, such as Brad Halsey, also involved in the deal. Meanwhile, Javier Vazquez could also be retraded, with the Orioles, Phillies and Rangers possibilities.

3) The Yankees signed free agent 1B Tino Martinez to a 1 year, $2.7 million contract, with an option for 2006.

After 6 RCAA/.776 OPS and 3 RCAA/.781 OPS seasons, Martinez hit .461 SLG, .362 OBA, .823 OPS, 13 RCAA in 138 games with the Devil Rays. He has a .817 career OPS, compared to his league average of .769, and 114 RCAA in 1892 games.

4) On Wednesday, Ken Burkhart died at the age of 89.

Burkhart had a 3.85 career ERA, compared to his league average of 3.81, and -2 RSAA in 148 games with the 1945-48 Cardinals and 1948-49 Reds. He was also an umpire from 1957-73.

5) The Whitesox have made an offer to free agent C A.J. Pierzynski.

6) The Reds signed INF Luis Lopez and C Bobby Estalella to minor league contracts, with invitations to spring training.

After being out of the majors in 2003, Lopez had a .273 SLG, .211 OBA, .483 OPS, -10 RCAA in 56 games with the Orioles. He has a .637 career OPS, compared to his league average of .773, and -87 RCAA in 704 games.

Estalella has -20 RCAA/.755 OPS in 310 career games, including a .407 SLG, .290 OBA, .698 OPS, -2 RCAA in 12 games with the 2004 Diamondbacks and BlueJays.

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