Major League Baseball Commissioner Bud Selig approved the proposed Johnson trade involving the Yankees and Arizona Diamondbacks on Monday.
The Yankees need to reach a contract extension with Johnson by Thursday for the deal to be finalized.
The Diamondbacks are expected to receive starting pitcher Javier Vazquez, catching prospect Dioner Navarro, pitching prospect Brad Halsey and about $9 million US from New York.
Randy Johnson is primed to become the New York Yankees' staff ace. (CP File Photo)
The Yankees, Diamondbacks and Dodgers discussed a three-way deal involving Johnson, Green and Vazquez deal with many different versions of the trade reported in the media over the past month.
The final swap required Selig's final approval since any trade in which more than $1 million is exchanged between teams needs the commissioner's stamp.
Johnson, a five-time Cy Young Award winner, led the majors in strikeouts last season with 290. The powerful left-hander went 16-14 with a 2.60 earned-run average.
He tossed a perfect game on May 18 against the Atlanta Braves.
Johnson's downfall last season was playing on a team that compiled the worst record (51-111) in the majors. The Diamondbacks scored more than three runs just 13 times in Johnson's 35 starts.
Johnson apparently told the Diamondbacks he wouldn't waive his no-trade clause and play out the final year in Arizona if a deal with the Yankees could not be worked out by early January.
Johnson joins a revamped Yankee rotation which includes free-agent newcomers Carl Pavano and Jaret Wright. Veterans Mike Mussina and Kevin Brown are also on the starting staff.
Vazquez was acquired by the Yankees prior to the 2004 season and in his first year in pinstripes he went 14-10 with a 4.91 ERA in 32 starts.
It would be a return to the National League for the right-hander, as the 28-year-old pitched for the Montreal Expos the first six years of his career.
Halsey, a 23-year-old left-hander, made his debut in the majors last season, going 1-3 with a 6.47 ERA in eight games (seven starts).
with files from Sports Network
