01:00 AM EDT on Friday, July 9, 2004

BOSTON -- Despite widespread speculation that Arizona Diamondbacks pitcher Randy Johnson would refuse to waive his no-trade clause and accept a deal to an East Coast-based team, several baseball sources familiar with Johnson's thinking say the All-Star's "clear preference" is to be dealt to the New York Yankees.

In recent weeks, Johnson has given no public indication that he wishes to be traded by the Diamondbacks, for whom he's pitched since 1999, winning four Cy Young Awards and one world championship. Johnson has both "10-5 rights" -- 10 years in the big leagues, the last five with the same team -- and a no-trade clause in his contract which give him veto power over any trade.

But privately, Johnson has grown increasingly frustrated

with the direction of the ballclub. Going into last night's action, the Diamondbacks had lost 17 of their last 21 games, owned the second-worst record in baseball at 30-55 and occupied the basement of the National League West. A franchise-record 11-game losing streak helped contribute to the firing of manager Bob Brenly last week.

Johnson and Curt Schilling combined to pitch the Diamondbacks to a World Series title in 2001, but Johnson has told some that he doesn't relish the prospect of finishing his career playing for a non-contender.

The Yankees, who have been to the World Series every year except one since 1998, offer Johnson the best chance at another championship.

The Yankees' possible acquisition of Johnson would be a potentially crippling blow to the Red Sox, who entered last night six games in back of New York in the A.L. East. The Red Sox, seeking to bolster their own rotation and keep Johnson out of New York, have called the Diamondbacks to express their interest in the left-hander, who recently passed the 4,000 strikeout plateau. They were told there are no current plans to move Johnson.

Also, Johnson believes that the Yankees' status as perennial contenders would help him to reach the 300-victory level. Johnson is currently at 240 career wins.

Such a goal would require Johnson to pitch past next season, when his current contract expires. It may be that Johnson, like Schilling, will insist on a contract extension as a condition to approving a trade.

Johnson will be 42 when the 2005 season and his current contract are over, and few teams other than the Yankees might be willing to chance signing a pitcher of the advanced age to what undoubtedly would be a lucrative extension.

"They're probably the only ones who would do that," one major league executive said of the Yankees.

As it is, Johnson's addition to the Yankees roster this season would push their payroll close to $200 million. As part of a two-year extension negotiated with the Diamondbacks before the 2003 season, Johnson stands to earn $16 million this season and next, with some $6 million annually deferred.

The Diamondbacks are reluctant to move Johnson, who remains an icon in Phoenix and helps swell attendance at Bank One Ballpark. It's believed, however, that they would grant Johnson's wish to be dealt if he asked.

Johnson's willingness to accept a trade to the Yankees does not guarantee the deal will take place. The Yankees will first have to satisfy the Diamondbacks with a package of young players in return. New York's minor league system is thin, particularly at the upper levels, and the Diamondbacks would insist upon players who are close to contributing in the big leagues.

It had been widely assumed that Johnson would only accept a trade to the Anaheim Angels. Johnson attended the Univesity of Southern California and owns a home in Newport Beach, Calif., some 15 miles from Angel Stadium.

Playing for the Angels would also give Johnson the ability to be close to home for spring training since the Angels also train in Arizona. A trade to the Yankees would require him to spend six weeks in Florida.

The Angels also have a far better stock of prospects to offer the Angels, including highly-regarded catcher Jeff Mathis and third baseman Dallas McPherson.

But despite the proximity of Anaheim and his southern California roots, Johnson is said to be skeptical of the Angels' ability to win another title and favors joining a more talented and playoff-tested roster in New York where he would be viewed as the final piece to the Yankees' puzzle, and not a franchise savior.

Schilling, Johnson's one-time teammate, had also expressed an interest in going to New York. But the Yankees were unable to satisfy the Diamondbacks' demands and Schilling landed with the Red Sox, the beneficiary of a two-year contract extension.