Yankees baseball blog

Yankees to Break $200 Million Barrier

here appear to be few, if any, limits to what the Yankees can afford, the reason they can add Randy Johnson and perhaps Carlos Beltran to their firmament of stars. Then again, money is no object when you play in a city where apartments sell for $44 million, nursery schools can command $24,000, and dinner for two at a top restaurant can cost $1,000.

New York's acquisition of Randy Johnson from Arizona, which is likely to be completed next week, will boost the Yankees' payroll to about $205 million, easily topping the major league record of $187.9 million they set in 2004. The Yankees, with a bottomless pit of cash and, some would say, arrogance, must pay a $25 million luxury tax for last season — about $600,000 more than Tampa Bay's entire payroll. Continue

Second chance for Tino at 1st

The Yankees have more on their mind than just pitching help. With Jason Giambi's future uncertain, multiple sources yesterday said the Yankees and Tino Martinez have agreed on a one-year contract worth roughly $2.5 million that includes an option for 2006.

Martinez won four World Series rings with the Yankees from 1996-2001 and is one of the most popular players from that dynasty. He will rejoin Derek Jeter, Bernie Williams, Mariano Rivera, Jorge Posada and Joe Girardi, who is now the bench coach for manager Joe Torre.

Martinez was dumped after the 2001 season because of the Yankees' infatuation with Giambi, who was welcomed with a seven-year, $120-million contract. Martinez joined St. Louis and later was traded to Tampa Bay. But now, because of Giambi's damning steroid testimony and diminished health, the roles have been reversed. Continue

Projected rotation for 2005 Yankees

According to Daily News....

(last years record)

Randy Johnson (16-14)
Mike Mussina (12-9)
Carl Pavano (18-8)
Jaret Wright (15-8)
Kevin Brown (10-6)

I would be surprised if the Yanks don't unload Kevin Brown before the season starts, possibly to a national league team.

Ring in Randy for New Year

After months of speculation, weeks of negotiations and one massive collapsed megadeal, the Yankees and Diamondbacks finally agreed to terms yesterday on a trade that will bring Randy Johnson to the Bronx in exchange for Javier Vazquez, prospects and $9 million in cash, multiple sources said.

The official announcement likely won't come until next week, since commissioner Bud Selig must approve the transaction. After that, the Yanks will have a 72-hour window to work out an extension for the Big Unit, likely to be for two years and $32 million, and have him waive his no-trade clause. The players must also pass physicals.

But for all intents and purposes, the most-anticipated trade of the offseason is complete. The Bombers will send Vazquez, Brad Halsey, Dioner Navarro and the $9 million, which will be paid out in increments over the next couple of years, to the D-Backs in exchange for the five-time Cy Young winner that George Steinbrenner has coveted for years. Continue

Unit a Yank

We never get to look at these trades through the innocent prism of baseball any longer. Whenever the Yankees seek to make a personnel move of any magnitude, the first thing you see is ceaseless hand-wringing. The first thing you hear is outrage.

There go the Yankees, buying another championship. There goes George Steinbrenner, snapping up another star. There goes baseball's integrity, swallowed whole by the Bronx money pit.

If we could only cut a swath through the wailing wall of whining, perhaps it might be possible to state this wildly unpopular opinion: The Yankees made a smart, sound baseball move yesterday. They ended a yearlong quest by finally reaching an agreement to bring Randy Johnson into the fold. Continue

Stanton's thrilled with new teamates

ike Stanton remembers the drill. Two years in a Mets uniform won't make you forget that new players are always fitted for Pinstripes this time of year. There were minor ripples over in Queens, but Stanton was in The Bronx when the Mussinas and the Giambis and the Clemenses were brought in. So, although it was news to him that the Yanks completed deals for Randy Johnson and Tino Martinez yesterday, it wasn't a surprise.

"The acquisitions made this winter were good ones," Stanton told The Post. "We're all looking forward to the season." Continue

Big get a little (a lot?) bigger

When word came yesterday afternoon that the trade sending Randy Johnson to the Yankees finally had been completed, the first impulse was to laugh and ponder how the clock struck midnight one night early for the Boston Red Sox, not to mention the rest of major-league baseball.

Is it too late to change that ball they'll drop in Times Square tonight and give it some red, cross-stitched seams? All of a sudden, New York is the baseball capital of the universe again. Continue

Yankees make deal for Johnson

The Yankees and the Diamondbacks reached an agreement in principle today to send five-time Cy Young Award winner Randy Johnson to the Yankees.

Sources told Newsday today that the Yankees have agreed to send Javier Vazquez, pitching prospect Brad Halsey and catching prospect Dioner Navarro, plus about $9 million in cash, to Arizona for Johnson.

The paperwork for the trade will be sent to baseball Commissioner Bud Selig by tomorrow. Before the deal is complete, Johnson has to waive his no-trade clause. Continue

Unit's at hand

The Yankees and Diamondbacks last night inched to the doorstep of a deal that will finally put Randy Johnson in pinstripes - with Arizona most likely getting Javier Vazquez, about $8.5 million, Brad Halsey and Dioner Navarro.

Arizona sought the inclusion of Navarro in the deal with designs on packaging him to the Dodgers for Shawn Green. If the Diamondbacks cannot seal a trade with Los Angeles, they still might reverse course by dropping Navarro from the deal, taking lesser prospects and accepting more money from the Yankees, likely topping out at $12 million. But that was considered a less plausible scenario last night.

The parties now firmly believe they will finalize the players involved in the swap either today or no later than tomorrow, since neither side wants this phase to go into the new year. Continue

Yanks unveil Wright

The last two times the Yankees reached out for a free-agent pitcher departing the Braves, they came back with bad (Steve Karsay) and worse (Chris Hammond).

Last offseason they reached into the National League and came back with Kevin Brown and Javier Vazquez, Goats 1 and 1A in the Yankees' ALCS debacle.

Not deterred, the Yankees yesterday officially announced their three-year, $21 million deal with Jaret Wright, who rediscovered himself last season in the NL under the tutelage of Atlanta pitching magician Leo Mazzone. Wright, at least, has an AL background. The Yanks' other major free-agent signee, Carl Pavano, pitched exclusively for NL teams, and Wright said, "It would be a big deal if you never played [in the AL] and did not face a pitcher [at bat]." Continue

Yanks are biding time in bidding for Beltran

The Yankees were the first to meet with Carlos Beltran when principal owner George Steinbrenner welcomed him and his agent, Scott Boras, to Tampa last week. But they now seem content to wait out the Astros, then compete with the Mets for the free-agent centerfielder, or at least that's how general manager Brian Cashman described his club's negotiating stance yesterday.

"Right now, our entire winter has been concentrating on the pitching," Cashman said. "In Carlos Beltran's case, we'll have to make a decision here rather soon if we're going to be a player in this and make an offer, because at this point, we haven't made one yet. Continue

Finishing touches

George Steinbrenner's fantasy was closer still to becoming reality as the Yankees moved closer yesterday to completing their long-anticipated trade for five-time Cy Young Award winner Randy Johnson. After many months of twists and turns in trade negotiations involving baseball's biggest prize, a deal once again seems imminent.

The Yankees and Diamondbacks were closing in on an agreement that would send pitcher Javier Vazquez, top catching prospect Dioner Navarro, pitching prospect Brad Halsey and cash, roughly $8 million, to Arizona for the 6-10 lefthander Johnson. As Newsday reported yesterday, Navarro's recent inclusion in talks between the two teams is viewed as a key point of progress. Continue

Unit says he's Bronx bound

A deal that would put Randy Johnson in pinstripes appeared to be nearing fruition last night, with the Yankees and Diamondbacks hammering out final details.

Although a gag order was in place with both teams, sources told the Daily News that Johnson informed a few of his Arizona teammates that he was going to the Yankees.

Yankee president Randy Levine and incoming D-Backs CEO Jeff Moorad spoke for the second time in two days yesterday, and there were two scenarios under consideration, according to sources. Continue

Think big

A new year is near, with the Yankees in an old position — again on the brink of obtaining Randy Johnson.

In a series of intensified phone calls, Yankee President Randy Levine and Arizona incoming chief executive Jeff Moorad yesterday cherry-picked pieces of the three-team trade that Los Angeles doomed last week at the 11th hour, infuriating the Yankees.

The executives believe they have created a compromise framework that will satisfy the Diamondbacks' desire for money, veteran players and prospects to a great enough degree to deal Johnson — possibly as early as today. Continue

Pitching and hoping

The Yankees and Diamondbacks were talking seriously yesterday about a trade that could send five-time Cy Young winner Randy Johnson to New York for pitcher Javier Vazquez, catching prospect Dioner Navarro, pitching prospect Brad Halsey and cash.

After many fits and starts in the pursuit of Johnson, there was renewed optimism yesterday that the exact package or a very similar one would finally bring Johnson to New York. One Arizona source described remaining impediments as "mostly loose ends," believed to include the amount of cash going to Arizona. It is thought the Yankees would send around $8 million - along with Vazquez, Navarro and Halsey. The amount of cash could fluctuate, depending upon the agreed-upon prospects. Continue

Mets to woo Carlos

With the ink barely dry on Pedro Martinez's contract, the Mets have made Carlos Beltran a top priority, two baseball officials familiar with the situation said yesterday.

After weeks of internal discussions about Beltran, the Mets are prepared to make a serious push for the 27-year-old centerfielder, who already has visited with the Yankees and Astros. Luring Martinez away from the Red Sox was a nice coup for new general manager Omar Minaya, but getting Beltran will be a far more difficult - and costly - undertaking for a number of reasons.

Beltran's agent, Scott Boras, is looking for a 10-year deal worth $200 million. It was Boras who scared the Mets away from bidding on Alex Rodriguez after the 2000 season. The difference this time is that the Mets are coming off three disastrous years, not a World Series appearance, and principal owner Fred Wilpon apparently has entrusted Minaya with his checkbook to buy back some of that lost respectability. Continue

Eddie Layton dies at 77

Eddie Layton, who entertained Yankee Stadium crowds as its organist for nearly four decades until his retirement after the 2003 season, died Sunday at his home in Forest Hills after a brief illness. He was 77.

"Eddie Layton was a treasured member of the Yankee family and, as a gifted musician, he made Yankee Stadium a happier place," owner George Steinbrenner said in a statement. "Eddie was a dear friend who will be missed by all who come to Yankee Stadium." Continue

This time, Yankees not alone in owing luxury tax

The Boston Red Sox got an extra bill after winning the World Series. Boston, Anaheim and the New York Yankees must pay baseball's luxury tax, according to final figures compiled by the commissioner's office.

The Yankees are required to pay $25,026,352, according to a Dec. 21 memorandum that was sent to all major league teams. Boston owes $3,155,234 for exceeding the payroll threshold of $120.5 million and Anaheim got a bill for $927,059. Continue

Reds' pitching overhaul continues with Milton's addition

Free agent Eric Milton and Cincinnati agreed to a $25.5 million, three-year deal Monday as the Reds kept revamping their pitching staff.Milton, 29, led Philadelphia in wins, starts and strikeouts last season, going 14-6 with a 4.75 ERA in 34 starts with 171 strikeouts.

His contract calls for a $4 million signing bonus, $4 million in 2005, $8.5 million in 2006 and $9 million in 2007, matching the total value of Matt Clement's deal with Boston.The signing gives the Reds a proven left-hander in a rotation that desperately needed one.Milton went 71-57 with a 4.76 ERA in 200 appearances with Minnesota and Philadelphia. He made the AL All-Star team in 2001, and went 1-0 with a 1.65 ERA with the Twins in the 2002 and 2003 playoffs.  Continue

Yanks' shopping never ends

Astute shoppers sometimes find their best bargains in the days immediately after Christmas, but the Yankees don't figure to be deterred by the fact they aren't likely to receive any discounts as their ongoing pursuit of stars Randy Johnson and Carlos Beltran spills into the final week of 2004.

Beltran's free-agent courtship figures to be resolved before the Jan. 8 deadline for him to re-sign or not with Houston.

Meanwhile, the Johnson trade talks are expected to heat back up this week after the Diamondbacks put out word last week that they'd still prefer to move the Big Unit before the calendar turns to 2005. Continue

Yanks and Randy: It ain't over 'til it's over

George Steinbrenner's "passion" (read obsession) to acquire Randy Johnson has only intensified since the Dodgers reneged on the three-team, 10-player agreement, people close to Steinbrenner say.

Yankees people still express confidence they will land Johnson, perhaps by reconfiguring the prospect package that was discussed before the Dodgers got involved. Previously, Arizona showed little desire for Yankees prospects above Class A. L.A.'s involvement was mostly a time-waster, but its keen interest in Dioner Navarro raised his value.

Arizona and the Yankees will restart talks soon with close to what was discussed before L.A. jumped in: Javier Vazquez, money and prospects Melky Cabrera, Brad Halsey and Abel Gomez for Johnson. The loot was at issue, with Arizona demanding $19.5 million of the $34.5 million owed Vazquez. Continue

Duncan knows trade talk is part of game

Eric Duncan was relaxing in his Florham Park, N.J., living room watching the finale of "The Apprentice" when his cell phone rang. It was his agent, Jim Lindell, calling to tell him the Yankees were talking seriously about trading him as part of a blockbuster deal that would net them Randy Johnson.

"From that night up until a couple of days ago, it's been crazy," the Yankees' prospect said last week.

Duncan, who turned 20 this month, has taken all of the trade talk in stride. Despite the uncertainty of not knowing whether he will report to Tampa for spring training or some other destination, the third baseman is not stressing. Continue

Vazquez: You'll regret it

Javier Vazquez has a pointed message for the Yankees as they continue discussions with the Diamondbacks regarding a trade for Randy Johnson:

Proceed at your own risk.

"I still trust in my abilities and if the Yankees trade me, they'll regret it," Vazquez told the Puerto Rican newspaper La Perla del Sur in yesterday's editions. "After all (these) rumors, one feels not wanted."

GM Brian Cashman said he had received a phone call from Vazquez earlier this month in which Vazquez asked about his status with the Bombers. Cashman told the 28-year-old righty that he was not being shopped, but that there were was one situation - read: a deal for the Big Unit - in which Vazquez could be a chip. Continue

Yanks won't pay big price for Unit

If the Diamondbacks insist on the Yankees sending $19.5 million from The Bronx to The Desert as part of the Randy Johnson transaction, the Yankees have a message for Arizona.

"It won't happen," a Yankees official said yesterday in response to scuttlebutt the Diamondbacks believe they are in a position of strength after the three-way deal including the Dodgers crashed Tuesday night when L.A. pulled out. "It won't get done."

Though George Steinbrenner wants to make Johnson the front man of Joe Torre's rebuilt rotation that includes Carl Pavano and Jaret Wright, The Boss isn't going to give in to Arizona wanting the entire difference between the $35.5 million remaining on Javier Vazquez's three years and the $16 million Johnson is owed this season.

Despite the potential dollar snag, it's likely the clubs will find a common ground with the money and Johnson will be a Yankee before the New Year. Still, the Diamondbacks could dig in their heels, and these teams couldn't close this deal in July or November. Continue

Tino contract talks on deck

In the middle of their big-game hunting, the Yankees have spent time trying to bring back an old friend.

Yankees general manager Brian Cashman said yesterday that he has spoken recently with the representative for free-agent first baseman Tino Martinez. While Cashman stressed that negotiations have not yet begun, a Martinez-Yankees reunion makes sense and appears likely.

With Jason Giambi's future in pinstripes extremely uncertain, both in terms of the team's desire to dispose of him and Giambi's poor health, the Yankees need another option at first base. Continue

Astronomical over Beltran

After touring the Florida homes of the Yankees and Astros this week, Carlos Beltran returned to his own house in Puerto Rico with an upgraded offer from Houston in his pocket, reportedly a six-year deal worth as much as $16 million a season.

And that's only the beginning. The Astros are intent on doing everything they can to keep Beltran, and while Houston owner Drayton McLane denied to MLB.com the Astros had made that big of an offer, GM Tim Purpura told the Daily News yesterday that regardless of the current offer, Houston has not yet reached its financial ceiling.

"There's always ranges in these things," Purpura said. "We negotiate close to our range, but there is always room to keep going. You're not going to put out one or two offers and that's it. You have to get some feedback from the agent, talk about the parameters, see what else can be done to alter an offer if you have to do that." Continue

Not a creature stirring

George Steinbrenner wanted Randy Johnson for Christmas but didn't get the 41-year-old left-hander from the Diamondbacks.

Yet nobody is betting against Johnson becoming a Yankee before 2004 — a year when the Yankees lost to the eventual World Champion Red Sox — turns into 2005. Even if The Boss has to shell out more than the $12 million he has been willing to give the Diamondbacks when it was a two-team trade.

When talks between the Diamondbacks and Yankees resume Monday, Arizona is expected to turn up the heat by asking for the entire $19.5 million difference between Javier Vazquez's contract ($35.5 million) and Johnson's 2005 salary ($16 million). Continue

Jaret says N.Y. Wright for him

Jaret Wright certainly wasn't rooting for Randy Johnson back on May 18, but that doesn't mean he wouldn't love to do so in the future.

Wright, whose two-year, $14 million deal (with a third-year option) is expected to be announced by the Yankees in the near future, watched the Big Unit achieve perfection against his Braves last season and said yesterday that adding Johnson to the Bombers rotation would give the Yanks a "ridiculous" pitching lineup.

"During the game, I wanted someone to break it up, of course," Wright said from California. "But afterward, it was easy to appreciate what he had done. He was dominant. I don't know that there's anyone you can put in his class. I don't know what's going to happen with the trade, but even if he doesn't come, the staff is excellent. And if he does, it'll be unbelievable." Continue

Back in business

Randy Johnson won't be coming from Arizona to The Bronx through L.A. but that doesn't mean the Hall of Fame lock won't be a Yankee.

With the Dodgers killing a three-way trade Tuesday, the Yankees and Diamondbacks forged ahead yesterday to try to finalize a trade that would turn Johnson into a Yankee and put the bitter disappointment of Tuesday to sleep, not to mention change George Steinbrenner's mood, which wasn't good after his third attempt since July to get Johnson was flushed.

"The Yankees and Diamondbacks talked [yesterday]," a person familiar with the twisted situation said. "They have agreed to take a break until after the holiday." Continue

Javy tale a wild pitch

What is it Branch Rickey once said about the best trades sometimes being the ones you don't make? Apparently, the Dodgers, after being brought to their senses by a media backlash, heeded the words of their long-ago wily GM and pulled up stakes in the three-way Randy Johnson megatrade with the Yankees and Diamondbacks.

The Dodgers cited all sorts of reasons Tuesday, but failed to address the one question that begs an answer: What possessed them to get involved in the first place?

According to multiple sources familiar with how the whole messy process played out, Diamondbacks chief exec Jeffrey Moorad had reached out to Yankees president Randy Levine during the winter meetings last week to re-start the Johnson trade talks. Moorad and Levine were reportedly starting to toss propositions around when, out of the Dodger Blue, Frank McCourt, the new L.A. owner, called and said he wanted in. Continue

Carl signing no 'BIG' deal

THE Yankees introduced their newest new guy yesterday, yet another young starter they envision has the sturdiness, the stuff and the proper birth date to help now and well into the future.

Carl Pavano followed Hideki Irabu, Jeff Weaver, Jose Contreras and Javier Vazquez as the latest righty import to stand behind a Yankee Stadium lectern, don a pinstriped jersey as flashbulbs popped and promise that he has the stuff — in arsenal and moxie — to cope here in Boss-town.

To that we say go get Randy Johnson, no matter the new obstacles. Go get all 41 years of creaky back and unstable knees. Johnson passes the only litmus test that matters here — you can imagine him starting Game 1 in Fenway. Continue

Pavano and Yanks finalize deal

Right-hander Carl Pavano and the New York Yankees finalized their $39.95 million, four-year contract on Wednesday.

Pavano, who turns 29 on Jan. 8, was among the most sought-after free-agent pitchers. He told his agent, Scott Shapiro, on Dec. 11 to work out a contract with the Yankees.

"I know the team I'm going to have behind me is going to be competitive every year," Pavano said. Continue

Dead deal

Randy Johnson to the Yankees through L.A. is dead and the Yankees are livid at the Dodgers

. The Diamondbacks and Yankees believed the three-way, 10-player trade was close enough for Johnson to undergo a physical today in Tampa. However, the Dodgers squashed the deal for several reasons, including Javier Vazquez's threat to either not take a physical and/or not report to spring training, according to a person who was briefed on the matter.

In essence, Vazquez created a no-trade clause, though he was the only major player in the deal who did not have one, the source said.

However, Vazquez's agent, Seth Levinson, said Vazquez was only refusing to meet the Dodgers' request to fly this week to take a physical because he was on vacation in St. John with his newborn son, but that he would have taken the physical soon after Christmas. Continue

Steinbrenner meets with Beltran, offer to come

As they watched their trade for Randy Johnson fall apart yesterday, the Yankees took some time out to meet with their other big target of the offseason. George Steinbrenner and Carlos Beltran met for the first time, and the Yankees are expected to make Beltran an offer shortly

. In Tampa, Beltran and his agent, Scott Boras, met with Steinbrenner, Yankees general manager Brian Cashman and president Randy Levine. One person who was briefed on the hour-long session said it was a cordial get-together.

Beltran and Boras are expected to meet with Astros owner Drayton McLane, as well, at some point this week.

The Astros, with whom Beltran concluded the 2004 season, already have an offer on the table, reported to be at six years and $81 million. That is a package that the Yankees could easily top, yet there figures to be more competitors for Beltran's services. Continue

Vazquez won't go to LA, Dodgers call off Unit deal

The three-way trade talks to bring Randy Johnson to the Bronx are dead, and, Newsday has learned, the primary reason was Javier Vazquez's refusal to report to the Los Angeles Dodgers.

According to a source involved in the discussions, Vazquez, the Yankees' righthander, was so opposed to joining the Dodgers that he refused to travel to Los Angeles to undergo a physical examination.

Paul DePodesta, the Dodgers' general manager, announced tonight that the deal -- which involved 10 players -- was "no more." Continue

Dodgers pull out of Johnson deal

The Los Angeles Dodgers withdrew Tuesday from the proposed three-team, 10-player trade that would have sent Randy Johnson from the Arizona Diamondbacks to the New York Yankees.

"As we sit here right now, the deal is no more," Dodgers general manager Paul DePodesta said during a conference call. "I've been saying all along that we weren't going to do the deal unless it made sense for this club in 2005, and that was not the case."

Earlier in the day, an official of one of the teams and a person close to one of the players involved in the trade said the deal had been submitted early Tuesday to baseball commissioner Bud Selig for approval. The two spoke on condition of anonymity. Continue

Bombers bear down on Beltran

Carl Pavano will be introduced tomorrow at Yankee Stadium. Randy Johnson is likely coming soon. But the biggest point of emphasis in the Yankees' universe today is Carlos Beltran.

Beltran, the jewel of this year's free agent class, and his agent, Scott Boras, are slated to meet today in Tampa with George Steinbrenner. They hope to build upon the dialogue GM Brian Cashman started with Boras at the Winter Meetings last week.

The Yankees have been the favorite to get Beltran since the 27-year-old switch-hitting center fielder filed for free agency, but they aren't alone. The Astros, who thanks to Beltran's smoking October bat came within one game of going to the World Series, are expected to make a serious pitch to retain him. The Cubs and Mets are also interested. Boras says there is a fifth team in the mix for a player some predict will land a seven-year deal worth $105 million. Continue

The waiting game

Now that the Dodgers are close to signing free agent J.D. Drew as a replacement for Shawn Green, the 10-player trade that will deliver Randy Johnson to the Yankees is two easy steps away from being completed.

Early yesterday, the deal hit a minor snag when Dodger GM Paul DePodesta was quoted in the Los Angeles Times saying there was uncertainty in the organization about making Green part of the three-team trade without having a run-producing replacement lined up. Later in the day, however, after Dodgers owner Frank McCourt talked to Diamondbacks CEO Jeff Moorad and Yankees president Randy Levine, it was clear DePodesta's worries had been calmed thanks to L.A. closing in on Drew.

The paperwork for the complex trade between the Yankees, Dodgers and Diamondbacks is likely to land on Bud Selig's desk this morning. After making sure the language and the money are lined up (the Yankees are paying $2 million of Kaz Ishii's $5 million and giving the Dodgers $6 million across two years), the Commissioner is expected to approve the deal and give the Yankees and Diamondbacks a 72-hour window to negotiate contract extensions with Johnson and Green, respectively. Continue

LA could be firing a low curve

The Yankees will sit down with free-agent outfielder Carlos Beltran and agent Scott Boras today in Tampa, and they had hoped to do so with Randy Johnson virtually in pinstripes. Instead, the Los Angeles Dodgers are publicly threatening to back out of their agreed participation in the highly publicized three-way trade.

While the Yankees and Arizona Diamondbacks moved forward yesterday, filing the paperwork necessary to submit the deal for the approval of baseball commissioner Bud Selig, the Dodgers did no such thing, according to an industry source. By doing so, they acted in accordance with a strong proclamation made Sunday by their general manager, Paul DePodesta.

"We're holding it up," DePodesta said in a Los Angeles radio interview. "We want to make sure the trade is in the best interests of our '05 club. As it stands, the only way it's attractive is if we do other things alongside. "As a stand-alone, it's not helping our major league team. It isn't a done deal at this point. [Other moves would] have to be simultaneous. You don't make a deal like this and be left naked. There's a high level of activity, and if we get the pieces in place, at the end of the day we'll have a better team."

Continue

Yanks set to court Carlos

It's usually unwise to save all of your shopping until the final week before Christmas. But the Yankees this year are finding plenty of stock available for their annual big-ticket surprises

. While the Yanks are awaiting final approval of their Randy Johnson blockbuster trade from the commissioner's office, the deal's official completion in the coming days will be only part of a hectic holiday week in the Bronx and Tampa offices.

In addition to the expected acquisition of the Big Unit, the Yankees finally will sit down for some serious unit pricing with agent Scott Boras, the representative for the prize of this year's free-agent crop, Houston center fielder Carlos Beltran. Boras will meet with George Steinbrenner and the Tampa contingent at the team's Florida training complex tomorrow, the next step in what could result in an incredible two-pronged addition of superstar talent. Continue

Big deal up to Selig

The Yankees, Dodgers and Diamondbacks completed the paperwork on a blockbuster deal yesterday and submitted the forms to commissioner Bud Selig's office. Now, they wait for Selig to examine them to make sure the language regarding deferred money is right and grant the Yankees and Diamondbacks 72-hour windows to negotiate contract extensions with Randy Johnson and Shawn Green, respectively.

"He could do that as soon as [today], but it's more likely that the window will be granted Monday or the first thing Tuesday morning," a source said of Selig.

While rumors circulated yesterday that Green wouldn't waive his no-trade clause, the source said that was erroneous and that the deal will eventually be completed.

The Yanks signing off on the paperwork means they have figured out ways to convert the perks in Johnson's contract into cash.

In Johnson's case, there is likely going to be an extra 71 hours left on the clock because the Yankees have known since July that the 41-year-old future Hall of Famer wants a contract for 2006 to delete his no-trade clause. He will likely get one for about $16 million, the same salary he will earn this coming season. Continue

Big Unit: Deal me in

Any player who craves action as much as he does money, and who'd rather win jewelry than buy it, should confine his dream list of teams to two. Red Sox or Yankees. A baseball cauldron or a baseball brick oven. First place in the AL East or a close second. The best or the next best. George Steinbrenner's favorite team or his least favorite. Because when you get right down to it, the only way to get a guarantee of big bucks and big action is to grab a seat at the Yankees-Red Sox high-stakes winter poker game and ask to be dealt in. That's what Curt Schilling did in November 2003 when he leveraged his way out of Arizona and was traded into the most intense rivalry in sports. Then he became a New England folk hero. And that's what Randy Johnson wants to do now. Continue

Time to make money pitch

Talks in the blockbuster trade that will bring Randy Johnson to the Yankees neared completion yesterday and it appears the deal will be sealed in the next few days.

The teams have agreed in principle to the exchange, which sends Javier Vazquez and two Yankee prospects (Eric Duncan and Dioner Navarro) to Los Angeles while Shawn Green, Brad Penny, Yhency Brazoban and Brandon Weeden go from the Dodgers to Arizona and the Big Unit and L.A. lefty Kaz Ishii come to the Bronx. The Dodgers, who would also get pitcher Mike Koplove from the D-Backs, are then expected to flip Vazquez to a fourth team, likely the White Sox, for a combination of players including Paul Konerko. Continue

A's send Mulder to St. Louis for three players

The Oakland Athletics traded their second top starter in three days, sending left-hander Mark Mulder to the National League champion St. Louis Cardinals on Saturday for a package of prospects.

Mulder follows Tim Hudson out of town, leaving Barry Zito as the only remaining member of Oakland's vaunted "Big Three" pitchers. Hudson was dealt to Atlanta on Thursday for three mostly unproven players. Mulder could be the top-notch pitcher the Cardinals sorely lacked when they got swept by the Boston Red Sox in the World Series, but that's if he's healthy. Continue

Boras, Boss talk next week

Agent Scott Boras and Yankees owner George Steinbrenner have scheduled a face-to-face meeting to discuss Carlos Beltran sometime next week - the long-awaited conference that could determine whether Beltran becomes a Yankee or Astro or goes somewhere else.

Fresh off their recent agreement to acquire coveted lefthanded pitcher Randy Johnson, pending a few believed-to-be minor details, the Yankees hope to land their other main offseason target with Steinbrenner's winning mixture of spirited sales pitch and bulky bank account. The Johnson deal could well be officially completed just before the Boras-Steinbrenner meeting commences.

Newsday has learned that Boras plans to fly to Tampa for the meeting. No conclusion should be drawn from the scheduled meeting, because it is believed that Boras' itinerary also includes a get-together with anxious Astros owner Drayton McLane in or near Florida.

The Yankees and Astros have long been considered co-favorites to land Beltran. Boras is seeking $200 million for 10 years, and while teams publicly have scoffed at that price, multiple teams are aggressively pursuing the multitalented outfielder, which could drive the price well beyond $100 million in total value and $15 million a year. Continue

At last, Randy Bronx bound!

The Big Unit is coming to the Yankees

After day-long negotiations at the highest level, the Yankees, Diamondbacks and Dodgers agreed in principle to the blockbuster trade that will put Randy Johnson in pinstripes, according to sources with knowledge of the situation.

The trade has Shawn Green, Brad Penny, Yhency Brazoban and prospect Brandon Weeden going from L.A. to Arizona; Javier Vazquez and two Yankee prospects (Dioner Navarro and Eric Duncan) going from the Bronx to the Dodgers; and the Big Unit along with L.A. lefthander Kaz Ishii coming to New York.

The deal most likely will be announced in a few days, with so many players involved. Penny told ESPN Radio last night that he is scheduled to take a physical for Arizona next week. Continue

Randy's dandy for October

FIFTY-EIGHT days ago, the Yankees sent Kevin Brown to the mound to try to beat the Red Sox in Game 7 of the ALCS.

That mistake never will be made again.

George Steinbrenner made sure of that last night as the Yankees basically locked up Randy Johnson and their 40th pennant and 27th World Series title. The deal is not officially done yet but the parade will be next October. Johnson will be sitting in the lead car.

He's the tall guy with five Cy Youngs under his belt. There is a good chance he'll win his sixth in 2005.

Last year, it was Curt Schilling leaving the Diamondbacks as the difference-maker; this year it's Johnson. The scariest pitcher in baseball will come to The Bronx in a three-way deal that sends Javier Vazquez and youngsters Eric Duncan and Dioner Navarro to the Dodgers while Shawn Green, who still has to waive his no-trade clause, Yhency Brazoban and Brad Penny wind up in Arizona.

For those who complain this is another example of the Yankees buying a championship, too bad. It is what it is. Ch-ching. Continue

Braves get A's Hudson

The Atlanta Braves made another huge pitch for success, getting Tim Hudson from Oakland. And the Seattle Mariners added another slugger, grabbing Adrian Beltre off the free-agent market.

In a brisk day for deals, the Braves made the biggest trade of the offseason yesterday - so far.

With Los Angeles, Boston and the Yankees rumored to be pursuing Hudson, the Braves swooped in and got the Athletics ace for outfielder Charles Thomas and pitchers Juan Cruz and Dan Meyer.

The Braves have won 13 straight division titles. Last Saturday, they got All-Star closer Dan Kolb from Milwaukee - a deal that allowed them to move John Smoltz back into the rotation.

"This winter, we have set our sights on going back to sort of the old-fashioned Braves' way of building championship teams with dominant pitching," Atlanta general manager John Schuerholz said. "That's what we think we have done with the pitching staff we have put together for the season." Continue

Unit about to land in Bronx

After two failed efforts, the Yankees have likely secured Randy Johnson.

If L.A.'s Shawn Green waives a no-trade clause and agrees to land in Arizona and Johnson gives his OK to work in The Bronx, the Dodgers, Diamondbacks and Yankees will have put together a blockbuster trade that establishes the Yankees as the AL favorite — not to mention stealing the excitement caused by the Mets signing Pedro Martinez.

Of course, there are the usual nuances to clear before a deal is announced. All bodies must pass physicals and the Yankees have to work out an extension for Johnson, who will likely be paid roughly $16 million to waive his no-trade clause. Continue

Ready for Randy

The Randy Johnson-to-the-Yankees talk has heated up to the point that a blockbuster, multi-team trade involving the Dodgers' Shawn Green, the Big Unit and Bombers righthander Javier Vazquez is under serious discussion.

Sources told the Daily News that while the deal is very complex, there appears to be a feeling of urgency from all the clubs to get it completed within the next day or so.

Several variations on the deal, including the possibility that a fourth team - possibly the St. Louis Cardinals - will be involved are being considered. Continue

Yanks reach a deal for Randy

The Yankees have reached agreement on the principal players in a three-team blockbuster trade that would land them coveted lefthander Randy Johnson, Newsday has learned.

A few details have yet to be worked out, but indications are they are not big enough obstacles to kill the deal.

The Yankees would receive the 41-year-old Johnson in the deal while sending pitcher Javier Vazquez and two minor-league prospects, catcher Dioner Navarro and third baseman Eric Duncan, to the Dodgers, according to an Arizona source. The Dodgers would send pitchers Brad Penny and Yhency Brazoban and outfielder/first baseman Shawn Green to Arizona to complete the deal.

Johnson and Green both have no-trade clauses. Johnson has been requesting a trade to the Yankees for quite a while, so he will surely give his OK. Green's former agent is Jeff Moorad, who currently runs the Diamondbacks, so there's a great likelihood he would also approve the deal. Continue

'Zona calls Yanks on unit

For the second time in three days yesterday the Yankees and Diamondbacks had a brief and non-productive discussion about Randy Johnson coming to The Bronx.

And while the talk didn't shed new light on the stalemated situation, many people in the industry expect the Big Unit to be a Yankee in a week to 10 days.

Their thinking is that the Diamondbacks want to rid themselves of a negative situation before Christmas, use some of the $16 million to chase righty free agent Matt Clement or lefty Jarrod Washburn, who might not be offered a contract before Monday's tender deadline. Continue

Astros up ante to keep Beltran

Carlos Beltran is being courted by four teams, super agent Scott Boras says, but it figures to come down to Yankees and Astros in battle for jewel of this year's free-agent class. Getty Images

While the Yankees remain the favorite to eventually land Carlos Beltran, the Astros aren't going to let the jewel of the free agent class leave Houston without making a serious effort to retain him.

A source close to the situation said the Astros are prepared to go significantly higher than the numbers attached to a reported five-year, $70 million offer.

"They have the money to spend and [Beltran] likes Houston," the source said.

But do they have Yankee money? Probably not. And since Beltran is represented by Scott Boras, money is the biggest factor in negotiations. Many believe Beltran will eventually ink a seven-year deal worth $105 million. Continue

Pavano, Jaret deals slated for Monday

Carl Pavano's introduction as a Yankee will likely come at a Monday press conference, but the free-agent righty has essentially finalized a four-year deal that is believed to include a fifth-year club option, a source said yesterday.

The Bombers are also putting the finishing touches on their three-year contract with righty Jaret Wright, whose deal was delayed while the Yanks closely examined the results of his physical and worked on the precise language of the agreement. He is expected to be a part of the same press conference. Continue

Yanks, D'Backs resume big unit talks

There was a time when the Diamondbacks would have greatly benefited from the Mets getting Pedro Martinez. A day when George Steinbrenner would have ordered his people to surrender the farm in order to top the Mets by trading for Randy Johnson.

However, The Boss hardly reacted to Martinez' joining the Mets, a move baseball executives believe Steinbrenner had a hand in.

Monday, the Diamondbacks contacted the Yankees for the first time since Dec. 1, when the Yankees broke off trade talks for Johnson because they believed Arizona's demands were ludicrous.

Earlier in the day, word leaked out of the Anaheim winter meetings that the Mets had signed Martinez to a four-year deal believed to be worth $54 million. Now, Arizona wanted to see if Martinez in blue and orange would make the Yankees talk about something they wouldn't two weeks ago. Continue

It's Pavano & patience

The other star pitcher who got away from the Red Sox should officially become a Yankee in the next several days.

Scott Shapiro, the agent for Florida free-agent hurler Carl Pavano, said yesterday he has continued to negotiate toward hammering out a deal with the Yankees that is expected to result in a four-year contract with an option for 2009 worth around $39 million. The deal could be completed as early as the end of this week.

"I'm very confident things are going to work out," Shapiro said. "We're just going over language and making sure everything is perfect." Continue

Beltran situation will take a while

Although the Yankees believe the Carlos Beltran sweepstakes will last until early next month, general manager Brian Cashman still met often with agent Scott Boras at the winter meetings in Anaheim last weekend.

According to a baseball official, they spoke about the framework of a deal, but they didn't get too far. When Cashman asked Boras what terms Beltran is seeking, the agent said 10 years at $200 million.

Given that the Yankees have Beltran slotted more toward a six- or seven-year deal with an annual base salary of $15 million, their talks didn't get too far. Cashman and Boras agreed to stay in touch and seem willing to work out their differences. Continue

D'Backs won't budge

Arizona's song remains the same. And to the Yankees' ears, it's like listening to finger nails traveling across a chalkboard.

After 13 days of no communication between the Diamondbacks and Yankees concerning Randy Johnson, the clubs talked briefly yesterday.

"Nothing changed," an industry source close to the situation said. "There wasn't much."

When talks were halted Dec. 1, many believed the Diamondbacks' request in the second round of discussions would be more reasonable than the ridiculous demands they made in the opening round.

However, yesterday's talk that was believed to be between Arizona CEO Jeff Moorad and Yankees president Randy Levine didn't lead to the Diamondbacks lowering their Dec. 1 demands. And as much as George Steinbrenner wants the future Hall of Famer to lead his rotation, The Boss isn't about to cave in to what some Yankee voices believe is extortion. Continue

Yankees listen for Unit price

Carl Pavano is expected to be introduced as a Yankee soon, but the Bombers also left the winter meetings here with a familiar name back on their radar screens: Randy Johnson.

After both the Yanks and Diamondbacks said last week that they would wait for the other side to renew talks on a trade involving the Big Unit, Arizona made the first move over the weekend and contacted the Bombers to get talks started again.

Yankee fans shouldn't get excited, though - at least not yet. The D-Backs' overtures weren't much different than their previous proposals that led to talks being broken off at the beginning of the month. Unless Arizona backs off its demands, it's unlikely the Yankees will be interested. Continue

Mets inching closer to signing P Martinez

The New York Mets are making a strong push to close on a deal with marquee free agent right-hander Pedro Martinez, with indications that a four-year guaranteed offer could be close to delivering him.

"We are still in dialogue," said Mets general manager Omar Minaya as he left the hotel here to return to New York early Monday afternoon. "I'm going to get on a plane now. The good news is that we're still in dialogue."

Minaya declined to comment on a Boston Herald report that Martinez and the Mets have agreed to terms. The newspaper reported that the two sides were working on a four-year, $56 million deal. Continue

Unit reheats Yankee yearn

It may just be the Randy Johnson-to-the-Yankees blockbuster is not dead after all.

Sources last night told the Daily News that the Diamondbacks, after meeting with Johnson's attorneys, Barry Meister and Alan Nero, Saturday night, concluded the Big Unit is still intent on being traded to the Yankees rather than agreeing to an extension with Arizona.

The Diamondbacks, with their suddenly new-found resources that netted Troy Glaus and Russ Ortiz for a combined $78 million in the last couple of days, had hoped to convince Johnson they were restoring themselves to contender status. But Nero and Meister apparently were emphatic in asking the Diamondbacks to reopen talks with the Yankees. Continue

Beltran will have to wait

Yankee fans shouldn't be looking for Carlos Beltran under their Christmas tree.

While the switch-hitting center fielder is likely to land in The Bronx, Yankee officials and industry watchdogs say it won't happen until next month because agent Scott Boras isn't in a hurry.

"We are barely out of the starting blocks on that," said GM Brian Cashman, who has met with Boras at the Winter Meetings that close today.

Pitching has been Cashman's priority at the meetings, but with Carl Pavano and Jaret Wright agreeing to deals, the Yankees will turn toward securing Beltran. It will be a two-team derby since the Astros reportedly offered Beltran a five-year pact for $70 million to stay in Houston. The Yankees will top that, and industry experts predict Beltran will eventually sign a seven-year contract for $105 million. Continue

Beltran on Yanks' radar

While they have been focused on their starting rotation, the Yankees haven't lost sight of the biggest prize of the free-agent market. On Friday night, they met with agent Scott Boras to discuss centerfielder Carlos Beltran.

The Yankees are optimistic about acquiring the five-tool player, but they know the process will take some time. Boras is looking for a 10-year offer for Beltran.

In addition to the Yankees, the Astros, Mariners and Tigers have gone aggressively after Beltran, and there might be another team in the mix. The Cubs have a great deal of interest, but they can't seriously pursue Beltran unless they find a taker for Sammy Sosa. As of last night, the Cubs were not close to trading Sosa to the Mets or anyone else. Continue

Jumpin' for Joe

A second conversation with Joe Torre this week convinced Carl Pavano that the Yankees were the best fit for the free-agent pitcher, while Eric Milton and the club remained stalled over a paltry $1.5 million.

Pavano and the Yankees were finalizing a four-year deal worth $39 million yesterday that included an option for a fifth year. It wasn't clear if the buyout in the option year would get the deal to $42 million.

"His conversation with Joe Torre was really impactful," agent Scott Shapiro said yesterday at the Winter Meetings. "Carl told me point blank that he would go to war for the man. He is a special guy. You can't say anything bad about the decision to want to play for Joe Torre. He is one of those guys when you talk to players, they play the game to win for Joe and that says a lot." Continue

All's not Wright with Jaret deal

The Yankees' three-year deal for $21 million for Jaret Wright has hit a snag due the Yankees not liking something they saw in Wright's right shoulder during a physical taken last week.

According to the buzz at the Winter Meetings, Wright failed the Yankees' physical, but that wasn't accurate. More to the point was that the pitcher hadn't passed the second part of it after Dr. Stuart Hershon, the team physician,