Trading Johnson

There are no real positives to trading Randy Johnson...yes getting back prospects 1-2 years ready for MLB is a good thing... but for all the drama..Johnson has given the Yanks what they needed since he came to the team 200+ innings and 17 wins per season. Now that a lesser pitcher might have done even better is why they are trading him away..the Yankees would be fine without Johnson if they can put Pettitte in his place..Pettitte should be able to win about as many games as Johnson did.although it is hard to imagine him giving so many 7-8 inning performances. This comes back to the trade of Johnson you need to add a starter and a reliever to replace him. The Yanks don't have the replacement starter ... they will have to find one from Pavano, Rasner, Karstens, and Humberto Sanchez. Sanchez might be the best arm and Karstens the most consistent in this group. The Yanks could still sign a budget guy like Piniero who has a good upside. The reliever could be Britton obtained from the Orioles, Gonzales from Pittsburgh, or TJ Beam from AAA. Mussina, Pettitte, Wang, Igawa could be a very solid rotation in front of a five deep bullpen of Britton, Bruney, Proctor, Farnsworth, and Mo and a spot lefty. Pavano will be a good test of whether the Yankees have a legendary degree of patience to go with their legendary offense this season.