Free Agent Randy Johnson Signs with Giants
Cy Young Award Winner Will Chase 300 Wins in San Francisco in 2009
Dec 27, 2008
Randy Johnson to Reach 300 Wins with Giants
Last season, the 45 year-old left-hander made 30 starts for the Arizona Diamondbacks and amassed a record of 11-10. Those 11 wins left him just five victories short of 300.
Johnson, who ranks second in career strikeouts, is already considered a sure thing to make the Hall of Fame when he likely calls an end to his career at the end of the 2009 season, but 300 wins should make him a lock for first ballot induction.
The Addition of Randy Johnson Makes Giants Starting Rotation One of the Best in MLB
Last year, San Francisco failed to reach the 3 million attendance mark for the first time in their stadium’s nine years of existence. Barry Bonds’ chase for the homerun record drew fans despite the Giants fielding some poor teams; Johnson should help draw fans as he chases 300 wins.
Johnson, however, adds more than just potential revenue to the 2009 Giants. Last year, his ERA was 3.91 (ranking him below the league average) and he struck out 173 batters while walking just 44.
Johnson Adds another Veteran Presence to Giants Rotation
San Francisco already has defending Cy Young Award winner RHP Tim Lincecum, future ace RHP Matt Cain, exciting lefty Jonathan Sanchez and 2002 Cy Young Award winner LHP Barry Zito who becomes the fifth starter.
"He's looking forward to pitching between Lincecum and Cain and serving as a mentor for the young pitching staff," Johnson's agent, Barry Meister said.
The Giants Setting Up Themselves as 2009 Contenders
By signing free agent setup men LHP Jeremy Affeldt and RHP Bobby Howry earlier in the offseason to bridge the gap to closer RHP Brian Wilson, the Giants should keep themselves in a lot of games next season.
The Randy Johnson deal also strengthens the Giants without giving up any of their young pitching prospects.
With Johnson signed and LHP Noah Lowry potentially able to make a contribution after missing last season with a forearm injury, the Giants increase their depth in starting pitching that includes heralded prospects LHP Madison Bumgarner and RHP Tim Alderson. With Bumbarner and Alderson nearly ready for the big leagues, trading Sanchez for an infielder becomes a more viable option.
Due to a drop in velocity on his fastball and some loss of bite on his splitter, Johnson has become more of a fly ball pitcher over the last few seasons. Johnson’s move to San Francisco should benefit this trend as the Giants play their home games at AT&T Park, at which the dimensions are conducive to turning potential homeruns into outs.
If the Giants can add another power/run-producing bat to their lineup (they were the first team in a decade to hit less than 100 homeruns in a full season in 2008) they could turn themselves into contenders before they have even completed their rebuilding process.
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