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12/26/2008 9:30 PM ET
Giants sign free-agent pitcher Randy Johnson to one-year deal

SAN FRANCISCO, CA -- Adding one of the most prolific pitchers in Major League history, the San Francisco Giants have signed free agent left-hander Randy Johnson to a one-year contract, club Senior Vice President and General Manager Brian Sabean announced today.
Per club policy, financial terms of the contract were not disclosed.

The 45-year-old Johnson comes to San Francisco with Hall-of-Fame credentials, as he is a five-time Cy Young Award winner and 10-time All-Star. His five Cy Young Awards are the second-highest total in Major League history behind Roger Clemens (7) and he is one of only two pitchers to have won the award in four straight seasons, accomplishing the feat from 1999-2002 while pitching for Arizona. The Walnut Creek, CA native has amassed 4,789 strikeouts during his career, the second most in Major League history and the most among all southpaws. Johnson is currently just five victories shy of reaching the 300-win plateau to become the 24th pitcher in Major League history to reach 300 career wins. His 295 career victories currently rank sixth among left-handed hurlers.

"We are extremely excited to bring Randy Johnson to the Giants organization," said Sabean. "Randy continues to be one of the most intimidating and competitive pitchers in baseball today. He commands respect and will have a dramatic influence on the way the 2009 team conducts business."


http://mlb.mlb.com/news/press_releases/press_release.jsp?
ymd=20081226&content_id=3728921&vkey=pr_sf&fext=.jsp&c_id=sf&partnerId=rss_sf

Why not? One year deal, so nothing really lost here.

Three Cy Young winners on the staff now (if you can still count Zito).

Obviously it can't hurt. At least he'll draw some fans in, especially with him going for his 300th win.

We need a bat not another pitcher. How are we going to score with the lineup we have?

Sabean's looking for bargain basement stuff in January so we don't have to strain the farm system by giving up prospects. It looks like Crede could be on the way. A corner outfielder (Burrell?) on top of that would be the minimum they need to do with shoring up the lineup. Keep these guys in the one to two-year deal range, though.