[legend]

This trade would make sense. Both have about the same ability at this point in their careers. Johnson is in the process of getting bombed by the Blue Jays as I type this and Towers is doing the same, giving up runs to the Yankees. How many more seasons of Johnson am I in for anyways? He has so much in common with that load of laundry I did last week- he is washed up.

[Gotham Dark Knight]

Originally Posted by legend

This trade would make sense. Both have about the same ability at this point in their careers. Johnson is in the process of getting bombed by the Blue Jays as I type this and Towers is doing the same, giving up runs to the Yankees. How many more seasons of Johnson am I in for anyways? He has so much in common with that load of laundry I did last week- he is washed up.

A bit harsh there Legend...Randy will get it going...any team in the league would give him a final look, even at his advanced age...

[MJHMarc]

I don't think the Yankees would let him go so quickly. He sells out the seats in Yankee stadium and the fans love him (when he pitches well). His age is one concern but that isn't really a major factor to Steinbrenner. He focuses on making money and that's what he is doing.

[MVB]

As I said last time he pitched against Toronto, over his entire career he has pitched poorly against the Blue Jays. This wasn't surprising ( though it was surprising that he did NOT give up any home runs). Yes, he got shelled and he probably will again next time the two teams meet, but he will still be fine this year.

[MJHMarc]

He should do fine in 2006. Every pitcher has an off-day (and Johnson has more than most pitchers do).

[legend]

Age catches up with everybody, and he will be no exception folks. It just looks to me like it is coming sooner than later. How about if he didn't get that pop out with two outs in the fifth? Think Torre was going to be looking forward to going to the mound to get this guy? A-Rod, Sheffield, Johnson-these guys just aren't Yankees to me. I love new York, but I wish we didn't have any of these guys. Give me a guy like Brosious, who hit .240 but about .387 with the game on the line, rather than A-Rod, who does the reverse.

[MJHMarc]

I think the only player who does both of those amazing feats would be Albert Pujols of the Cardinals. If there was any way the Yankees could land Pujols in New York, it would be a miracle. I would even trade Alex Rodriguez (because he is older).

[legend]

Pujols will be a Cardinal for the rest of his life, that you can bank on. I would seriously doubt that there is a team in baseball right now that would want A-Rod. The Red Sox should thank God that the Player's Union shot down the deal that was going to send him to Boston before the 2004 season. Otherwise, they would still be waiting for a World Title.

[Wizard of Os]

Originally Posted by MJHMarc

He should do fine in 2006. Every pitcher has an off-day (and Johnson has more than most pitchers do).

Yes, but more importantly to doubting thomases such as Legend, he also has more on-days than most.

According to baseball-reference.com, pitchers with the careers most similar to the Unit at age 41 are: the Rocket, Lefty Grove, El Tiante, Tom Terrific and Tommy John. Rocket was 18-4 with Houston at 41 in 2004. Lefty retired in 1941, his fourth consecutive season in which he appeared in fewer than twenty-five games (his career average was approximately thirty-nine appearances). Seaver was 7-13 with an ERA over four (career era 2.86) in his pathetic final season. I don't know if we should count Tommy John, what with his bizarre reconstructive surgery situation.

Make of these comparisons what you will; perhaps this is the season we solve the Unit vs. Rocket debate...

Cheers.

[ThePundit]

I agree that Johnson isn't what he was. But you've got to get a lot more than Josh Towers for him, don't you think?

[Gotham Dark Knight]

Originally Posted by legend

Age catches up with everybody, and he will be no exception folks. It just looks to me like it is coming sooner than later. How about if he didn't get that pop out with two outs in the fifth? Think Torre was going to be looking forward to going to the mound to get this guy? A-Rod, Sheffield, Johnson-these guys just aren't Yankees to me. I love new York, but I wish we didn't have any of these guys. Give me a guy like Brosious, who hit .240 but about .387 with the game on the line, rather than A-Rod, who does the reverse.

Come, come Legend...all these guys fit the Yankee bit in the era of free agency...they are the modern day Catfish hunters and Reggie Jackson...and Brosious can hit, if A-Rod, Sheff and Johnson don't get them there to begin with...

[MJHMarc]

Definitely. Throw in a few prospects and you may have a deal!

But right now I don't think the Yankees want an 0-5 pitcher who they demolished yesterday.

[legend]

My trade suggestion was my attempt to show my disdain for Johnson. Unlike the Hunters and Jackson, he is on the wrong side of his career. I simply think that he is losing his stuff, and that he is going to go downhill quickly from here. I hope I am wrong.

[Lefty Noob]

I haven't seen him pitch this year. What's the big problem with the Big Unit -- losing velocity, control issues, or something else?

[Bishop]

Id do a washed up RJ for Josh Towers in a heartbeat. Johnson is done that cant be disputed.