Big Unit's Days with D-Backs Could Be Numbered

Padres closer Trevor Hoffman might not be the only future Hall of Famer changing teams this offseason. Randy Johnson, five victories short of 300, could be in his final days with the Diamondbacks. Johnson, 45, has yet to file for free agency and will not file until he has exhausted his possibilities with the D-backs, according to one of his agents, Barry Meister. Time, however, is running out. The last day for players to declare free agency is Thursday. And neither seemed especially optimistic on Monday that a deal would be reached. "It's hard to say how it will turn out," one Diamondbacks official said. Johnson earned $15.1 million last season. He has not earned less than $9.1 million since 1998. And after going 11-10 with a 3.91 ERA and pitching 184 innings last season, he probably is not interested in a major paycut. The Diamondbacks, on the other hand, surely are not enamored with the idea of paying $10 million or more to a 45-year-old pitcher with a history of back trouble — ... (link)