Johnson becomes free agent, talks with D-Backs end

[November 14, 2008]  PHOENIX (AP) -- Randy Johnson filed for free agency on Thursday after failing to reach a contract agreement to return to the Arizona Diamondbacks.

The 45-year-old lefty is five wins shy of 300 and "hopes to find a team where he can continue to pitch at a high level and contribute to another world championship," agents Barry Meister and Alan Nero said in a statement.

The agents said they met in Phoenix on Monday with Diamondbacks chief executive officer Jeff Moorad and general manager Josh Byrnes "to explore every option for Randy to remain a Diamondback in 2009 and for the remainder of his career."

"The Diamondbacks have a budget based on their club's financial situation and obviously viewed Randy's contract in that context," the agents said. "Randy considered every reasonable compromise, including offering to take a 50 percent pay cut, all to remain a Diamondback. However, the economic situation did not lend itself to an agreement."

Johnson made $16 million last year and went 11-10 with a 3.91 ERA. He struck out 173 and walked 44.

Byrnes, who said the sides had conversations through the week into Thursday, would not rule out still signing Johnson but added "something would fundamentally have to change in our position or their position or both."

The Diamondbacks will not budge on their policy of not giving contracts that include player incentives.

"As a policy it's one we stick to and will continue to stick to," Byrnes said.

He praised the spirit of the conversations.

"Both sides worked very hard to find an equitable deal," Byrnes said. "We couldn't do it."

Byrnes said the club envisions a rotation of Brandon Webb, Dan Haren, Doug Davis, Max Scherzer and Yusmeiro Petit next season.

"There's a chance we might try to find another person that would add to our depth," Byrnes said.

Johnson and Toronto pitcher A.J. Burnett were the only players to file for free agency Thursday, the final day of the 15-day window. The 171 players who filed can start negotiating money with all teams starting Friday.

A five-time Cy Young Award winner, Johnson won the NL Cy Young from 1999-2002 with Arizona.

The Big Unit was co-MVP with Curt Schilling in the 2001 World Series victory over the New York Yankees. He went 21-6 with a 2.49 ERA and 372 strikeouts that year.

Johnson has 4,789 strikeouts, second to Nolan Ryan on the career list, and pitched a perfect game.

Johnson came back for a second stint with the Diamondbacks in 2007 after a trade with the Yankees. He underwent the third back surgery of his career that year.

In January 2005, the Diamondbacks traded him to the Yankees. Johnson and his family have long made their home in the Phoenix suburb of Paradise Valley.

"Randy will miss the overwhelming support the fans have shown him throughout the years," his agents said. "He wishes the Diamondbacks great success in 2009 and beyond."

[Associated Press; By BOB BAUM]

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