Johnson for Johnson?

Johnson compares pretty well with Schmidt:
(RJ to Schmidt)

WHIP        1.24 to 1.26
HRs/9       1.23 to .88
K:BB        2.87 to 2.25
K/9         7.55 to 7.59
opp. BAA    .250 to .238
opp. OBP    .309 to .310
opp. Slg    .416 to .379
ERA         5.00 to 3.59

RJ is right with Schmidt everywhere except the ERA... What explains it? The home runs don't help, but keep in mind Yankee stadium slightly inflated home run totals while the Giants park suppressed more than any other park in the majors.

Also, the Yankee defense is abysmal (yes I know Jeter has won a GG), while the Giants is decent.

The back issue and his age are obviously sources of concern, but this man is a freak of nature. He's fought through it so far and performed, imo, at a Schmidt-like level. Duncan might be able to help with the slider and, really, if he turned out to be totally useless, a 2yr/$28mm contract wouldn't strangle the franchise that bad.

He might be the last impact player out there to be had. Imagine his ZIPS projection replacing Looper or Thompson who would likely struggle to make bench. That'd be worth 4-5 wins right there.

I don't want him either but just making inflammatory statements and calling him 'The Big Suckly Ugly Unit' shows nothing but a lack of creativity in name calling.

You should be supporting your fellow senior citizens...

The only reason people think he sucks is b/c he's being compared to Randy Johnson at his peak. No one else has to live up to that. If they did, they'd suck too. If Pujols slugged .525 with 30 home runs would he be worthless?

Three points to make for you aet:

1. It ain't our money, it ain't your money, it's DeWitt's money and he isn't going to share whatever doesn't get spent this offseason. The price of beer isn't coming down.
2. When Braden Looper is a prospective starter on your team, there's a need.
3. Old farts winning games are more enjoyable to watch than young players losing.

He's good, I'm glad we had him, but if Randy Johnson returns, at all, to form, then we're way ahead on the deal.  The money is probably too much, but it's a reasonable thought.

for

Wainright, Rasmus, and Pick a Prospect

We get the #2 and #3 starters we are looking for, the Braves get the solid youth they are looking for (and of course Wainright and Rasmus are hometown boys which would be highly marketable in the ATL).  The trade would potentially be very beneficial for both teams.  Gives us a solid chance at another WS run, puts Braves in a position to be solid again by 2008 or 2009!

Lets do it!

PS - All of you blow up our minor league system guys - when is the last time we traded a real impact prospect (Haren wasn't a prospect when he was traded, he was a known entity)?  Wainer would be tough to give up, but for Smoltz,,,,I have to believe over the next few years the percentages would be in our favor, but close enough the Braves would consider doing the deal.