Randy Johnson

by RoyalJHWKR on Nov 14, 2008 12:08 AM EST

I couldn't really fit this right into a fanshot. I just wanted to throw it out there, would Randy Johnson be a good fit for the Royals, and more importantly, would the price be right?

MLBTR report that the DBacks lowballed Johnson with a 2-3 million deal, while he reportedly might have settled for about 8.

So to cut to the chase, could one year of Randy Johnson at about 8-12 million push the Royals into serious playoff contention? Bill James already has us at 85-90 wins, with everything clicking perfectly. In the least it would be great to see him pitch in person for the first time. Dude is a serious pitching legend. And also, he would get his 300th win in Royal blue. Would it be crazy to offer an optional second year? Incentive laden contract? Just food for thought.

Randy Johnson in 2008

184 IP 3.91ERA/117ERA+ 173K/44BB 305 BABIP (303 career)

Thoughts? Rants? Raves?

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Read More: randy johnson, bill james, mlbtr, dude

Comments

Haven't checked his projection

and there is buzz in the intelligent blogosphere that he would be a good bargain for a middle-of-the-rotation guy. I guess I still think this is the kind of opporunity teams closer to contention the Royals should take, while the Royals need to be finding out what they have in Hochevar, Bannister, Davies, Rosa, etc. Also, Johnson’s last foray in the AL didn’t go so well.

Still, if he came really cheap, it might be worth taking a shot to improve the record, and perhaps deal him at the deadline.

OMG Banny. FWIW I am only crdtng u w/3 runs allwd bc of DDJ OMFG

by Matt Klaassen on Nov 14, 2008 12:32 AM EST reply actions

Yeah

I meant to add a link to the Fan Graphs blurb about him, but I pressed POST before thinking it through.

Bill James Projects

3.40 ERA 170 IP 178 K 41 BB

In Arizona obviously.

And here’s the link I meant to include

Alex Gordon in '08

by RoyalJHWKR on Nov 14, 2008 12:41 AM EST up reply actions

http://www.fangraphs.com/blogs/index.php/free-agent-bargain-randy-johnson/

There!

Alex Gordon in '08

by RoyalJHWKR on Nov 14, 2008 12:41 AM EST up reply actions

i did not know his #s were that good

but seriously… NL starting pitching was pretty effing weak, its the biggest difference between the leagues

his ERA +s of 112 and 90 with NY scare me

by Freneau on Nov 14, 2008 12:46 AM EST up reply actions

was he in NY twice?

OMG Banny. FWIW I am only crdtng u w/3 runs allwd bc of DDJ OMFG

by Matt Klaassen on Nov 14, 2008 12:46 AM EST up reply actions

FWIW

He had a 4.27 ERA in 2006 in NY

Alex Gordon in '08

by RoyalJHWKR on Nov 14, 2008 12:49 AM EST up reply actions

I meant 4.27 FIP ERA

Alex Gordon in '08

by RoyalJHWKR on Nov 14, 2008 12:49 AM EST up reply actions

Randy And Magic

Have two of the greatest unintentional pornstar names of all time.

I used to be an A's fan until they left town and got good.

by philofthenorth on Nov 14, 2008 12:38 AM EST reply actions

Definitely agreed!

Never thought about the obvious implication there.

Alex Gordon in '08

by RoyalJHWKR on Nov 14, 2008 12:42 AM EST up reply actions

Randy Ready

Relive Royals History at royalsretro.blogspot.com

by RoyalsRetro on Nov 14, 2008 10:47 AM EST up reply actions

Also

how come no one as picked up on what on obviously innuendo-laden name “Big Unit” is?

by raefzilla on Nov 15, 2008 10:38 AM EST up reply actions

Because I think it was intended that way

OMG Banny. FWIW I am only crdtng u w/3 runs allwd bc of DDJ OMFG

by Matt Klaassen on Nov 15, 2008 11:31 AM EST up reply actions

+12

I used to be an A's fan until they left town and got good.

by philofthenorth on Nov 15, 2008 2:58 PM EST up reply actions

I think he'd have a much tougher time in the AL

by Freneau on Nov 14, 2008 12:38 AM EST reply actions

plus I really don't like him for some reason

I mean, for some reason he bugs me as much as Schilling

OMG Banny. FWIW I am only crdtng u w/3 runs allwd bc of DDJ OMFG

by Matt Klaassen on Nov 14, 2008 12:41 AM EST up reply actions

Is it because he is

ugly as hell?

Schilling is an asshole, and he doesn’t care either. Can’t say I like Schilling either.

Alex Gordon in '08

by RoyalJHWKR on Nov 14, 2008 12:43 AM EST up reply actions

i'd deal with johnson everyday over schilling

and twice on sunday

by Freneau on Nov 14, 2008 12:44 AM EST up reply actions

maybe

with johnson it is the whole “I’m a big ol’ Christian” thing combined with trying to get out of child support from one of his “youthful indiscretions” at one point, I think. Class act.

OMG Banny. FWIW I am only crdtng u w/3 runs allwd bc of DDJ OMFG

by Matt Klaassen on Nov 14, 2008 12:46 AM EST up reply actions

Actually, Johnson had pretty goot tRA+s his two years in NY

still don’t think it’s a great idea.

HOWEVER… a good idea might be to go after the guy that the Yankees gave up on for the Ran-Jo — Javy Vazquez. The Sox are said to be “shopping” him because he’s a “choker” or whatever (and hell, if they gave up on Swisher after one unlucky year, Kenny must be in Everett-and-Alomar mode again). He’s making $11M, or what you’d pay for a good no. 3, and his tRAs have been top 7 the last three years. Get him out of that stadium and into Kaufman, and the Royals have another ace.

OMG Banny. FWIW I am only crdtng u w/3 runs allwd bc of DDJ OMFG

by Matt Klaassen on Nov 14, 2008 12:52 AM EST up reply actions

Vazquez

All of that BS coming out of Guillen about “big game blah blah” shit that Vazquez couldn’t handle. In addition to the way they gave up Swisher.

I’d love to have Vazquez. And definitely, in the K he’d be great.

Alex Gordon in '08

by RoyalJHWKR on Nov 14, 2008 12:56 AM EST up reply actions

hell yes

Vazquez could be a stud at the K…

I would put Zack-Meche-Vazquez against almost any team in the AL…

Rowdy Hardy Fan Club member.

by doublestix on Nov 14, 2008 12:58 AM EST up reply actions

So what would Kenny want?

Teahen at 3rd, Callaspo at 2nd (Given Ramirez to SS, which we all know is dumb but they seem inclined to do) and possibly a low level minor leaguer?

Alex Gordon in '08

by RoyalJHWKR on Nov 14, 2008 1:03 AM EST up reply actions

I'd have given Teahen and something else

But now they have that Betemit dude…Teahen might not make much sense for them now.

Rowdy Hardy Fan Club member.

by doublestix on Nov 14, 2008 1:24 AM EST up reply actions

Is there some way we can squeeze Ross Gload into this deal?

They seem to love his grit in Chicago

by Top Ramen on Nov 14, 2008 9:21 AM EST up reply actions

Would crazy Kenny be impressed with Guillen's counting stats?

Pay half of Guillen’s salary this year and send Blake wood over with him.

by BrRoyal on Nov 14, 2008 7:19 AM EST up reply actions

Well, he traded Nick Swisher for spare parts, so anything's possible at this point

Kenny obviously hates my guts. After the Swisher and Quentin acquisitions, I started saying publicly, “Hey, maybe Kenny isn’t so bad” after years of mocking him. Then they won the division… He must have heard I was saying and said “screw it, I hate that guy, get Ca$hmoney on the phone!”

OMG Banny. FWIW I am only crdtng u w/3 runs allwd bc of DDJ OMFG

by Matt Klaassen on Nov 14, 2008 11:03 AM EST up reply actions

am I crazy

or do I remember reading a bunch of stories about what a great guy Vazquez is.

Not that it matters, but it sure makes it more enjoyable to cheer for a guy like that.

Probably should stop dreaming. Get on the phone, Dayton Krazy Kenny is back!

OMG Banny. FWIW I am only crdtng u w/3 runs allwd bc of DDJ OMFG

by Matt Klaassen on Nov 14, 2008 1:10 AM EST up reply actions

well, Ozzie ripped him

So he probably IS a good guy.

Rowdy Hardy Fan Club member.

by doublestix on Nov 14, 2008 1:22 AM EST up reply actions

Javi

Back when he played for the Expos seemed like a nice guy. If not quiet. He’s pretty good with a smile and in general seems like a nice guy. I’ve never talked to him so I don’t know if he doesn’t talk much because of language barrier or he’s just quiet.

by playingwithfire on Nov 16, 2008 4:53 PM EST up reply actions

I wish I knew how

To apply an American League regression to his Bill James projection. He would have a tougher time for sure, but I think he could still be very effective

Alex Gordon in '08

by RoyalJHWKR on Nov 14, 2008 12:47 AM EST up reply actions

its plausible

especially since he had a patch of injuries

i wonder where he ends up… i say LAD

by Freneau on Nov 14, 2008 12:47 AM EST up reply actions

I'll take Oakland

It’s close to his home, it’s a good park for pitchers especially with that defense behind them, Beane loves late career HoFers, and he has money to spend.

by Gopherballs on Nov 14, 2008 12:24 PM EST up reply actions

i want paul byrd to retire a royal

plus, he’s also a born again and a former brave

and he probably sucks defensively

by Freneau on Nov 14, 2008 12:43 AM EST reply actions

I always liked Byrd too

If his name were “Maddux” he’d win the Gold Glove every year by default.

Alex Gordon in '08

by RoyalJHWKR on Nov 14, 2008 12:45 AM EST up reply actions

i have developed a pretty strong dislike of Maddux

i’m glad he’s gone

i’ve heard he was like smart or somethig

by Freneau on Nov 14, 2008 12:47 AM EST up reply actions

And he knew it too, prick

Alex Gordon in '08

by RoyalJHWKR on Nov 14, 2008 12:50 AM EST up reply actions

watch a national game with maddux pitching

the last decade was unbearable…

maybe i just get impatient and angry hearing the exact same analysis over and over and over again

by Freneau on Nov 14, 2008 12:56 AM EST up reply actions

No i agree

I kinda liked Maddux, but I hate the way that he’s fawned over so much.

Alex Gordon in '08

by RoyalJHWKR on Nov 14, 2008 12:57 AM EST up reply actions

why's that?

I never had strong feelings about him either way

I wonder who’s the biggest sleaze on the road: Maddux, Glavine, or Smoltz?

OMG Banny. FWIW I am only crdtng u w/3 runs allwd bc of DDJ OMFG

by Matt Klaassen on Nov 14, 2008 12:53 AM EST up reply actions

Smoltz

I don’t think this is even close.

by Freneau on Nov 14, 2008 12:55 AM EST up reply actions

Agreed

Ol’ Smoltzy does seem like a D-Bag. He is the sleaze king of the Braves triumvirate.

Alex Gordon in '08

by RoyalJHWKR on Nov 14, 2008 12:59 AM EST up reply actions

Is it just the beard?

I remember hearing vague stuff about all three of them

OMG Banny. FWIW I am only crdtng u w/3 runs allwd bc of DDJ OMFG

by Matt Klaassen on Nov 14, 2008 1:11 AM EST up reply actions

Chicks Dig A

Starter who can close.

I used to be an A's fan until they left town and got good.

by philofthenorth on Nov 14, 2008 1:18 AM EST up reply actions 1 recs

maddux pisses on people in the shower...

TPJ...you're dead to me

by billybeingbilly on Nov 14, 2008 2:47 AM EST up reply actions

His career

OBP is pretty lousy too… he’s perfect!

"Greinke and the Brain" (R) (C) TM

by SittinByTheFoulPole on Nov 14, 2008 9:01 AM EST up reply actions

I'd give him one year $10 million.

We can get some great things out of him, attendance would go up when he starts, he could teach some of the younger guys some grit, and he might throw a no-no any given night.

If he isn’t working out or it’s not working out for the team, flip him at the deadline for a prospect and save some money.

I would not go two years. We can use that $10 million next year for someone or several players.

Don't forget to send your broken maples to the US Forest Service.

by 306008 on Nov 14, 2008 11:17 AM EST reply actions