According to a person with knowledge of the negotiations, the Randy Johnson trade proceedings have hit a serious roadblock. As part of an agreement for waiving his no-trade clause, Johnson is looking for an extension, but the Diamondbacks, who already owe Johnson about $40 million in deferred money, apparently are looking for a way to factor some of that cash into the extension.

The Yankees and Diamondbacks have moved even closer to a Randy Johnson trade, and there is now such momentum, executives from both organizations strongly believe a deal will ultimately be completed despite what one termed "a lot of issues to resolve." They key item is just how much of the $16 million Johnson is owed for 2007 the Yanks are willing to pick up and/or how much Johnson is willing to redirect toward a 2008 extension.

Sources close to the negotiations said Thursday that the Yankees and Diamondbacks could complete a trade to send Randy Johnson back to Phoenix before next week. Arizona sees Johnson as a big gate attraction and would discuss an extension with him, ensuring that he records his 300th win with the franchise. The Yankees would like to get two of the following three prospects: Dustin Nippert, Micah Owings and Ross Ohlendorf. The Padres, believed to be offering reliever Scott Linebrink, also have been involved, but the Yankees apparently prefer the players they might be able to pry from the Diamondbacks.

The Padres have reportedly made a more competitive pitch for Randy Johnson than the Diamondbacks have. "Unless it's a deal (the Yankees) really want, there's not going to be a trade," said a baseball official familiar with the Yankees' plans. According to the baseball official, Johnson -- who has a full no-trade clause -- asked the Yankees to look into moving him closer to his Phoenix-area home but did not demand a trade or indicate he would be unhappy to come back to New York for the final year of his contract.

If the Yankees are serious about trading Randy Johnson, the Diamondbacks would love to have him back. Arizona confirmed its talks with New York about the Big Unit, who won four Cy Young Awards with the Diamondbacks from 1999-2004, but thus far the Yankees' asking price has been too high.

The Yankees have spoken to the, Arizona Diamondbacks, San Diego Padres and a third team, believed to be the San Francisco Giants, according to a baseball executive who was granted anonymity because he was not authorized to speak publicly about a possible deal. Trading Johnson would allow the Yankess to engage in the Barry Zito talks. The teams known to be bidding for Zito include the Mets, the Giants, the Texas Rangers and the Seattle Mariners.

The Yankees have begun trade talks involving Randy Johnson with several teams, including the Arizona Diamondbacks, although it is too early to tell whether the discussions will lead to a deal. Talks were confirmed Monday by a baseball official who had knowledge of them and spoke on condition of anonymity because they are in the preliminary stage. The Yankees' discussions with the Diamondbacks, Johnson's former club, were first reported by the New York Post and The Star-Ledger of New Jersey. Alan Nero, one of Johnson's agents, said Monday he was informed of trade talks by Yankees general manager Brian Cashman. ?I just had one conversation with Brian, and that's it. As far we know, there's nothing going on significant enough for us to become a part of it,? Nero said. ?I think Brian is just doing his job.?

Despite rumors to the contrary, Randy Johnson hasn't asked the Yankees to deal him closer to his Arizona home. "He hasn't called me officially and asked me to trade him, no," GM Brian Cashman said yesterday when asked if the Big Unit requested the Yankees move him. Cashman, asked if he was attempting to move Johnson, who has a blanket no-trade clause, wouldn't comment. Alan Nero, one of Johnson's agents, said there was no truth to the rumor. "There is nothing coming out of our camp," Nero said. "I don't know where rumors start."