Taken from boston.com's The Buzz this afternoon:
Less than a day after news broke about Boston's pursuit of Johnson, a source in the D-Backs organization told ESPN's Peter Gammons the Big Unit will be traded to the Yankees sometime next week. The source reportedly told Gammons the Sox don't have the starting pitcher the D-Backs want (Bronson Arroyo was rumored to have been part of the deal), and neither do the Cardinals, leaving only the Bombers as a legitimate suitor. According to the source, Arizona either wants the Yankees to acquire another starting pitcher to include in the deal or agree to send setup man Tom Gordon along with Javier Vazquez. Third-base prospect Eric Duncan and around $4 million a year of Vazquez's contract. ... The Providence Journal reported Wednesday morning that the Sox and D-Backs have held numerous discussions involving Johnson, who will make $16.5 million in 2005, in the last five days. According to the Journal, Arizona would likely require a package for Johnson that would include Arroyo, pitching prospect Jon Lester and at least one other top prospect. Additionally, Johnson would likely also require a contract extension beyond 2005. Johnson has a no-trade clause and it is unclear whether he'd accept a trade to Boston. The Yankees, meanwhile, have made Johnson their No. 1 offseason priority.
Less than a day after news broke about Boston's pursuit of Johnson, a source in the D-Backs organization told ESPN's Peter Gammons the Big Unit will be traded to the Yankees sometime next week. The source reportedly told Gammons the Sox don't have the starting pitcher the D-Backs want (Bronson Arroyo was rumored to have been part of the deal), and neither do the Cardinals, leaving only the Bombers as a legitimate suitor. According to the source, Arizona either wants the Yankees to acquire another starting pitcher to include in the deal or agree to send setup man Tom Gordon along with Javier Vazquez. Third-base prospect Eric Duncan and around $4 million a year of Vazquez's contract. ... The Providence Journal reported Wednesday morning that the Sox and D-Backs have held numerous discussions involving Johnson, who will make $16.5 million in 2005, in the last five days. According to the Journal, Arizona would likely require a package for Johnson that would include Arroyo, pitching prospect Jon Lester and at least one other top prospect. Additionally, Johnson would likely also require a contract extension beyond 2005. Johnson has a no-trade clause and it is unclear whether he'd accept a trade to Boston. The Yankees, meanwhile, have made Johnson their No. 1 offseason priority.
