Giants sign LHP Johnson to one-year deal

Dec 27, 2008 - 4:22 AM SAN FRANCISCO (Ticker) -- Randy Johnson has found a team willing to let him continue his run at history.

The San Francisco Giants on Friday announced that they have signed the 45-year-old Johnson to a one-year contract.

Terms of the deal were not disclosed, but mlb.com is reporting that the deal is worth $8 million plus incentives.

The lefthander is five wins shy of becoming the 24th pitcher in major league history to reach 300 in his career.

A five-time Cy Young Award winner and a 10-time All-Star, Johnson is second on the career strikeout list with 4,789. His 295 career victories currently rank sixth among lefthanders.

"We are extremely excited to bring Randy Johnson to the Giants organization," San Francisco general manager Brian Sabean said. "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."

A 21-year major league veteran, Johnson owns a 295-160 record with a 3.26 ERA in 596 games - 586 starts - with Montreal, Seattle, Houston, Arizona and the New York Yankees. He has tossed a pair of no-hitters, including the 15th perfect game in regular season history on May 18, 2004 at Atlanta.

Johnson joins 2008 NL Cy Young Award winner Tim Lincecum, righthander Matt Cain and 2002 AL Cy Young Award winner Barry Zito in the Giants' rotation.

The 6-10 Johnson posted an 11-10 record with a 3.91 ERA in 30 starts for Arizona last season, recording a 2.41 ERA after the All-Star break.