Yankees Get a Close Look at Johnson

When Randy Johnson pitched against the Cleveland Indians Tuesday night in Seattle, the New York Yankees had eyes there watching him. Yankee General Manager Brian Cashman also will have an ear out for Mariners GM Woody Woodward.

With Friday’s non-waiver trading deadline fast approaching, Cashman decided Sunday to call Woodward and find out for himself whether the Big Unit is available. Because of Jeff Nelson’s bulging disk in his lower back, the Yankees are mulling whether to trade for a pitcher, and Johnson’s status certainly would affect their plans.

“Everyone keeps on telling me that other clubs are making offers,” Cashman said. “I decided to see if he is available. If he is available, maybe we’ll get involved, maybe we won’t. I’m just exploring options. I have not made a determination as to whether he is available or whether we’re interested.”

It probably is not a coincidence that Cashman placed the call the same weekend Owner George Steinbrenner was in New York. It’s also worth noting that the Yankees will be in Seattle this weekend, so if they do acquire the 6-foot-10 left-hander, he simply will have to walk from one clubhouse to the other. If he becomes a Yankee, he will likely pitch for them Sunday against the Mariners. Regardless, Cashman had not yet made the decision on his next course of Johnson action.

That’s partially because Woodward had not called Cashman back by early Monday evening. That could mean at least two things: 1) Mariners ownership has not yet made Johnson available; or 2) Woodward, an avid golfer, was playing a marathon round.

Mariners owners have met at least twice in recent days, presumably to reconsider their position on Johnson (9-9, 4.35 ERA, 201 strikeouts in 151 innings). They issued a statement earlier this season that they would not trade Johnson, curious considering how far out of playoff contention the team was and the obviously poor relationship between Johnson and the team. Eligible for free agency after the season, Johnson has made it clear he does not want to re-sign with the team, and vice versa. If the Mariners do intend to trade Johnson by Friday--it’s impossible to imagine he would clear waivers, so Friday really is the final deadline--they certainly will give the Yankees a chance to overpay for him. At the GM meetings in November, the Mariners informed the Yankees it would require pitchers Andy Pettitte and Mariano Rivera to acquire Johnson. Earlier this season, they amended that demand to Pettitte and outfielder Ricky Ledee.

The Indians have definite interest in Johnson and would be willing to part with significant prospects to get him, according to sources, but will not go for him at all costs. The Dodgers, San Francisco Giants and San Diego Padres are other teams interested in Johnson, but the Dodgers already have decided the cost to acquire him and re-sign him is too high and have focused their efforts on acquiring Carlos Perez from the Montreal Expos. The Padres apparently have decided Johnson is too expensive as well, and it is unclear if the Giants have enough to get him.

The Mariners have indicated to teams that it will take three young players--preferably major league-ready--to get Johnson, if and when he is made available. At least one of those players needs to be a big-league starting pitcher. The Mariners also have a need for a third baseman, a second baseman and an outfielder.

The players who could satisfy those needs without crippling the Yankees’ postseason chances this year are pitcher Ramiro Mendoza, third baseman Mike Lowell, second baseman Homer Bush and Ledee.

Complicating the issue is the Mariners’ standing in the AL West. Despite being one of baseball’s biggest underachievers this season, the Mariners trailed the AL West-leading Angels by only nine games in the loss column entering play Monday. The Angels and the second-place Texas Rangers have a history of faltering and each team is struggling now because of poor starting pitching, another reason the Mariners still have a chance to make the playoffs.