Randy

Johnson

Trainer Paul Lessard stopped short of offering any timetable on Johnson’s return. Assuming everything looks good, Johnson could take the mound for Arizona right after the break.

Johnson is on track to return shortly after the break.

Keep the Big Unit active. He could have a very nice final third of a season.

If the club can sign Sexson, they’re expected to stick with The Big Unit, at least until the 2005 trade deadline. If Sexson spurns them, look for Johnson to be dealt in the offseason and the team to enter rebuilding mode.

You applaud the sentiment, because Pedrique knows that even with a 2.80 ERA and amazing 0.89 WHIP, the Unit isn’t likely to win a Cy Young award with a losing record (currently 12-13), and he isn’t likely to win games if the D’Backs can’t score. Where you disagree is with Pedrique’s opinion on what constitutes his best offensive lineup, as he intends to use Alex Cintron and Jerry Gil over Scott Hairston in his middle infield.

On Wednesday, Padres’ GM Kevin Towers said there’s “zero chance” of the Padres going after the Big Unit, citing the Randy Myers waiver-wire debaucle of six years ago. The bigger news here, obviously, is the belief that Johnson will be on the move. This is the first substantial rumor regarding the Unit since the Dodgers failed to acquire him at the non-waiver deadline.

The Diamondbacks might be interested if the Yankees are willing to pay a third of the $34.5 million Vazquez is owed over the next three years and take Johnson’s $17 million salary for 2005. Three years of Vazquez is worth quite a bit more than one of Johnson, especially since the Diamondbacks don’t figure to be very good next season no matter what they do this winter.

The White Sox looked into landing Johnson at the trade deadline, but they failed then and it’s unlikely that they’ll get him now. However, it does appear that they want to concentrate on adding pitching at the expense of their offense. That could mean Carlos Lee or Paul Konerko will be dealt.

It’s supposedly Arizona that has reinitiated talks, suggesting that a deal is likely to get done sooner or later. You can be sure the Yankees are still very interested if the asking price comes down.

The two teams haven’t talked about Johnson since Dec. 1. It’s unclear whether a deal will come easier now. After seeing all the money the Diamondbacks have thrown around, the Yankees could be less willing to pay a third of the $34.5 million Vazquez is owed over the next three years. If that’s the case, then a trade isn’t likely to take place.