Randy Johnson picked up his 287th career win on Tuesday night against Jeff Francis and the Rockies. Randy had a very good first inning, but allowed 3 runs in a rough 4th inning.
His numbers do not look good at first glance, but he is coming off of a second back surgery, and he is 44 years old. You can't expect much out of a very old pitcher, but he keeps going out there, and the offense is scoring runs for him.
13 more wins until he reaches 300. If it happens, which I am not so sure it will, we might have to wait another season.
He reminds me of a turtle we are trying to pus over the finish line. at any time, if he injures himself, he is done. I know they won't pay him 10 million next year just to win a few games but maybe he would sign for considerably less if he gets within 6-7 games...we'll see? But...hey these are three games I did nto think he would win anyway so every time he goes out and gets a win, even if he only pitches 5, it is a plus.
This is all true. But its almost like a sign, Randy's era is awful but he wins still, the Dbacks offense has been excellent on nights he pitches. For his 5th start he has 3 wins. At this point, lets say he has about 24 more starts, getting 13 more wins seems fashionable. If he comes up a few short at end of season I pray to God he stays with AZ, nothing would hurt me more than him getting 300 with like some team that had nothing to do with his great success like AZ did for him.
At this point and at his age, nobody else would be willing to take him. Any one game could be his last and only the DBacks, I beleive would be willing to sign him for perhaps 5 million instead of the 10 he is getting and could likely recoup that through attendance figures when he pitches. I'm convinced he wouldn't go anywhere else.
It is good to see Johnson try to come back. I know that 300 wins is important to a pitcher when they have been around a long time. However, do you honestly think he can pitch another season to reach that goal. He is old and not 100%. I hope he doesn't give up too many runs or reinjures himself trying to make 300.
Randy Johnson has been very good at times, but people do not know that just by looking at the ERA.
He has given up 19 earned runs in 31 2/3 innings for a 5.40 ERA. The Diamondbacks keep scoring runs for him, and a win is a win.
Randy is averaging more than a strikeout per inning, so that is encouraging. I doubt he gets 13 more wins this season. I'm just hoping that he can stay healthy and pitch somewhat effectively.
This is Johnson's last year for the Diamondbacks unless one of their other pitchers gets seriously hurt. Scherzer is not only the better option as a starter next season but he'll be making considerably less. Hudson is another player that is probably in his last season with Arizona. The rotation should like like this over the next two seasons:
2009
Webb
Haren
Davis
Owings
Scherzer
2010
Webb
Haren
Scherzer
Owings
Parker
I just don't see them resigning Johnson. I could see the Big Unit heading back to Seattle possibly, and if he holds up all right this season I don't see why other teams in need of a starting pitcher wouldn't want a left-hander a few wins shy of 300. Maybe the D'Backs can get him at a really cheap price, let him start enough to win 300 and then move him to the bullpen. But that's the only way I could see it happening.
