Perhaps the Yanks will not get to see 6-feet-11 worth of pinstripes. “We are not trading Randy [Johnson] because we think we can win the division, and our chances of winning it are much better with Randy,” Arizona GM Joe Garagiola Jr. said. A weak NL West works against the Yanks or anybody else getting the lefty since it will be difficult for clubs to fall out of that race by July. Garagiola also noted Johnson has a no-trade clause plus a house and deep roots now in Arizona.
However, Johnson is due $16 million next year and Arizona is committed to reducing payroll, and Garagiola would not touch the question what happens if the D’backs do fall out of it? Still, don’t jump immediately to the Yanks or Red Sox landing the Big Unit. The Orioles (with young lefty starters to offer) have let Arizona know if they are contenders in July, they want in if Johnson is available. More important, in Arte Moreno, the Angels have an owner familiar with Johnson (he was a D’back limited partner) who has the willingness to spend. Plus Anaheim trains in Arizona and is an easier flight home for Johnson, and the Angels have a deep farm system.
An AL scout said, “The Angels and Twins are looming July monsters for me because their systems are so deep they could get anybody if their owners are willing to spend the money.”
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A month from the draft (June 7), the Mets, with the third-overall pick, have focused on Florida State switch-hitting shortstop Stephen Drew and Rice righty Philip Humber. Recently hired senior advisors Al Goldis and Bill Livesey have seen both players, but the industry buzz is the Mets are more focused on Drew, though he profiles the same as his older brother, Braves outfielder J.D. Drew: extremely talented (“he can play Double-A this summer,” one scout said), but with questions about staying healthy, desire and being repped by Scott Boras, who is likely to command at least a major league contract with a $4 million bonus.
In Kaz Matsui and Jose Reyes, the Mets already have young, switch-hitting middle infielders. But this draft is so devoid of high-level position prospects the Mets might not be able to resist “the only impact bat in the draft,” according to an AL executive, though the Mets have not seen Drew with a wood bat (he rejected playing for Team USA or in the Cape Cod league) and though the organization has committed itself to finding power arms, which is why the Rice tandem of Humber and Jeff Niemann appeal to them (with Humber so far more appealing).
San Diego is expected to take Jeff Weaver‘s brother, Jered (Long Beach State) and the Tigers Old Dominion righty Justin Verlander. If either slips, the Mets would likely pounce.
Toronto’s Carlos Tosca is in big trouble and could be the first manager fired.