Bordow: Johnson, D-Backs should compromise at $5 million

The Diamondbacks and Randy Johnson appear to need an arbitrator to settle their contract negotiations, so I’ve volunteered for the job. Here’s my ruling: $5 million. That’s it. Sign the contract. Get ready for spring training.

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See how easy that is? A nice, round figure that recognizes Johnson’s ability but at the same time acknowledges he’s 45 years old and has a bad back.

So why haven’t Johnson and the Diamondbacks figured that out for themselves?

Thursday is the end of the free agency filing period, and Johnson still is in limbo, unsure of where he’ll pitch in 2009.

All Diamondbacks general manager Josh Byrnes will say is that negotiations are “ongoing.” Johnson’s representatives will say even less on the record.

The sticking point? What else?

Money.

Johnson believes he’s worth at least $8 million on a one-year deal, and he has the statistical evidence to back that up.

He was 11-10 last season with a 3.91 ERA, and Arizona’s bullpen blew five saves behind him. From July 1 through the end of the year, he was 7-3, and his 2.56 ERA was the seventh-best in the National League.

By contrast, teammate Doug Davis made $7.75 million for going 6-8 with a 4.32 ERA.

Of course, it’s not as simple as lining up one set of numbers against another.

Johnson is 45. His back could go out at any time. There’s risk involved in paying him what he’s worth.

That’s why a compromise figure of $5 million makes sense.

Anything less — particularly an offer of, say, $3 million — is an insult. On the other hand, Johnson needs to appreciate the team’s position. Arizona has to find a second baseman in free agency, and next June it has seven of the top 60 picks in baseball’s amateur draft.

Those players won’t come cheap, and the Diamondbacks have a limited budget, as evidenced by their recent decision to lay off 31 front-office employees.

Ultimately, the negotiations should boil down to a simple fact: The two sides need one another.

Johnson was Arizona’s third-best starter last season; the Diamondbacks are kidding themselves if they think they can go into the season with Davis, unproven Max Scherzer and Yusmeiro Petit in the back end of their rotation.

From Johnson’s vantage point, does he really want to win his 300th game in some strange uniform? His glory years were here in Arizona. This is where he punched his ticket to the Hall of Fame. What a shame it would be if he let economics dictate his next career move.

Besides, hasn’t he made enough money that he can take a hometown discount?

When the 2008 season ended, I thought it was a slam dunk that Johnson would return for a final victory lap. The Diamondbacks could count down to 300, the fans would shower him with applause and appreciation, and Johnson could tip his cap one last time in front of friends and family.

But the longer this goes on, the less certain I am the two sides will come to an understanding.

That’s why I’m offering my services. A deal needs to get done, not just for the sake of Johnson and the Diamondbacks, but for their fans, too.

They deserve to be part of Johnson’s 300th victory. And they certainly have the right to ask the Diamondbacks to put their best possible team on the field next year.

So get it done, guys. Meet in the middle at $5 million.

And just as a favor, I’ll waive my commission.