Report: Randy Johnson to Yankees
NEW YORK, Dec. 17 (UPI) -- A deal has been worked out that will send superstar pitcher Randy Johnson to the New York Yankees, Newsday reported Thursday night.
The newspaper said on its web site that the Yankees will send pitcher Javier Vazquez to Arizona and two minor league players to Los Angeles in exchange for Johnson.
The Dodgers, according to the report would then trade outfielder Shawn Green and pitchers Brad Penny and Yhency Brazoban to Arizona.
The newspaper also reported Johnson would receive a contract extension from the Yankees.
Johnson has won the Cy Young Award five times and recorded a 16-14 record with a 2.60 ERA last season with the Diamondbacks.
Arizona lost 111 games and had the worst record in the majors.
Johnson has a career record of 246-128 and has struck out 4,161 batters.
Pistons rally past Cavaliers
AUBURN HILLS, Mich., Dec. 17 (UPI) -- Richard Hamilton scored 21 points Thursday night and Detroit pulled away in the second half for an 81-69 win over Cleveland.
The Pistons had lost two straight, but they rallied from a 10-point deficit at halftime and took advantage of a rare off night by Cleveland's LeBron James.
James made just four of 21 shots and scored 11 points, a season worst.
Chauncey Billups contributed 16 for the Pistons and Rasheed Wallace had 13.
Drew Gooden led Cleveland with 18 points, who scored just six points in the third quarter as the Pistons took control.
Cleveland's problems included an argument between point guard Eric Snow and Coach Paul Silas in the second period. Snow was ordered to the locker room and even though he returned to the bench in the second half he did not play.
Hudson dealt from A's to Braves
ATLANTA, Dec. 16 (UPI) -- Star pitcher Tim Hudson was traded Thursday from the Oakland Athletics to the Atlanta Braves.
Atlanta sent pitchers Juan Cruz and Dan Meyer to the A's.
"One of our goals is to strengthen our pitching staff," said Atlanta General Manager John Schuerholz. "We have certainly made a major improvement to our club today with the addition of Tim Hudson.
"He has been one of the best pitchers in baseball over the last five seasons and we are excited about adding him to our rotation in 2005."
The trade came on the same day the Braves announced they had extended the contract of pitcher John Smoltz, who is now under contract through 2006 with a team option for 2007.
Hudson went 12-6 with a 3.53 ERA last season. It was the second highest ERA of Hudson's career. He was in the final year of his contract with Oakland.
In another major signing Thursday, Adrian Beltre agreed to a five-year deal with Seattle. Beltre's 48 homers were the most in the majors last season.
Martinez: 'I have to go forward'
NEW YORK, Dec. 17 (UPI) -- Pedro Martinez admitted Thursday he was disappointed he could not work out a deal with Boston, but said, "I have to go forward."
The superstar pitcher appeared for the first time as a member of the New York Mets, having signed a four-year, $53 million contract.
Martinez posted a 117-37 record over seven years with Boston, but the Red Sox offered him only a three-year deal. The Mets agreed to a four-year contract.
"It is too bad I couldn't work it out (with Boston)," Martinez said. "They couldn't do it. As of now I have a new beginning. I have to go forward. They understand I have a life and I need to go on with my career and I'm going to do that."
