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River Ave. Blues » Randy Johnson » Page 2

What If: Re-imagining the Yankee Dynasty

January 11, 2008 by Benjamin Kabak 36 Comments

Before I begin this exercise in What If? baseball history, let’s just remember that hindsight is always 20/20. When we look back in time and try to evaluate trades that weren’t made, it’s easy to do it sitting here in 2008. The trick is to put our selves in the shoes of those involved in the decision. In this case, that means hoping in a time machine and journeying to July 31, 1998.

It is July 31, 1998, and the Yankees are on a once-in-a-lifetime roll. The Yankees are 76-27 with a 15-game lead over the Red Sox. Since a 1-3 start, the team was a blistering 75-24. That just doesn’t happen.

But despite being prohibitive World Series favorites, the Yankees were always searching for ways to get better, and leading the charge was a rookie. General Manager Brian Cashman was in his first year as Yankee GM, and a series of moves and non-moves, beginning on that fateful night in July — the trade deadline — would impact the Yankees Dynasty up through the present day.

As site commenter Phil reminded us today, the Yankees were in the hunt for Randy Johnson. I had completely forgotten about these behind-the-scenes moves. But as RAB favorite and one-time Yankee beatwriter Buster Olney relates, the Yankees didn’t pull the trigger:

[Read more…]

Filed Under: Days of Yore Tagged With: Randy Johnson, What If?

We got such a terrible return for Randy Johnson!

July 27, 2007 by Joe Pawlikowski 3 Comments

No matter how poorly the return on RJ turns out (and it looks pretty bleak), it was still a good deal.

It was a good deal at the time because we shed ourselves of a 43-year-old malcontent coming off back surgery and making $16 million. It is a good deal now because Randy is undergoing yet another back surgery, which will end his season — and possibly his career, as he’s hinted in the past week.

So Brian Cashman saved $14 million and received a useful reliever for a guy who wouldn’t have helped anyway. And then some young players to boot.

Filed Under: Asides Tagged With: Randy Johnson

RJ: ‘I may never pitch again’

July 25, 2007 by Benjamin Kabak 27 Comments

Yankee fans will long hold Randy Johnson close to their hearts. His time in New York was filled with loving tenderness and great success. So as Luis Vizcaino puts up a sub-1.00 ERA over two months solidifying a shaky bullpen, Randy Johnson admits that he may never pitch again. That sure was a good trade.

Filed Under: Asides Tagged With: Randy Johnson

Wonder no more about the Unit

April 9, 2007 by Benjamin Kabak 4 Comments

With the Yankees starting pitching less than stellar recently, I’m sure Randy Johnson has crept into people’s minds. Say what you will about the Big Unit’s time in New York, but the man gave the team innings every year. But lest those doubts start to creep up on you, just turn to Will Carroll’s latest Under the Knife (Subscription well worth it):

Randy Johnson had a solid rehab start at Single-A, going six innings with six strikeouts against the kids. There was some concern about his velocity, which was off a bit, and that’s something to watch when he takes the mound again this Friday.

So it’s the same old story with the Grumpy Old Man. His velocity – already down over the last two seasons – is still down. In other words, Randy ain’t getting any younger, and I’m still happy to see him far far away for us.

Filed Under: Asides Tagged With: Randy Johnson

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