The San Diego Padres have made a more attractive offer for Randy Johnson than the Arizona Diamondbacks, but the Yankees will trade Johnson only if they consider it a good baseball move.
The Padres were believed not to be close to an agreement with the Yankees and reluctant to absorb Johnson’s $16 million salary ($1.5 million deferred without interest) in 2007.
While the Yankees might just be hoping the Diamondbacks increase their offer, Arizona is said to be waiting for a response from the Yankees and perhaps hoping that Johnson uses his trade-veto power in their favor.
Teams have asked San Diego about setup man Scott Linebrink all year, and if the Padres are now willing to move him, that could facilitate a deal with the Yankees. Linebrink, 30, had a 3.57 ERA in 73 appearances last season. Since San Diego claimed him off waivers in May 2003, he has gone 14-9 with a 2.57 ERA over 262 games.
San Francisco has also been involved in talks, and the Yankees official said two more teams he would not identify entered the derby yesterday (the two Los Angeles franchises fit Johnson’s desire to be closer to his Phoenix-area home).
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