East Valley Tribune--Arizona has enough budget & good enough prospects to send back for Randy Johnson

'Johnson, 43, would be a fit for the D-Backs in several ways. After contending for five months in the NL West last season, the D-Backs are seeking to add one more starter to a rotation that includes current NL Cy Young winner Brandon Webb, Livan Hernandez and newcomer Doug Davis.

• The D-Backs also appear to have at least $10 million to spend to hit their targeted budget of $60 million to $65 million this season.
• At the same time, the D-Backs have not joined the bidding for top-tier free agents this winter because they appear loath to commit one-fourth of their payroll to one player.

To make a deal work, the D-Backs likely would ask the Yankees to pick up a portion of Johnson’s 2007 salary, of which $1.5 million is deferred. The Star-Ledger reported that the Yankees are not inclined to pay any of Johnson’s salary if he is moved.

• The D-Backs have what they consider a stable of quality young starting pitchers, including three who have had minimal major league experience in Enrique Gonzalez, Edgar Gonzalez and Dustin Nippert and two who have moved rapidly up the minor league system, Micah Owings and Ross Ohlendorf.'

from Jack Magruder's article, 12/25/06, East Valley (AZ) Tribune

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