"Could the Cubs wave goodbye to one power pitcher and say hello to another?

One day after severing ties with closer Kerry Wood, the Cubs began exploring Friday the possibility of signing left-hander Randy Johnson to a one-year deal.

General manager Jim Hendry still hopes to re-sign Ryan Dempster, but he's moving ahead with contingency plans in case Dempster leaves. The Cubs are said to have offered a four-year deal in the $50 million range, but Toronto, Atlanta and at least two other teams are looking at the veteran right-hander.

Johnson's agent, Alan Nero, told the Tribune on Friday that Johnson "would seem to be a perfect fit" for the Cubs.

"First, there is the Lou factor," he said, referring to Lou Piniella, who managed Johnson in Seattle. "And second, it's the National League. There's no question the Cubs would be on his short list."

Hendry was unavailable for comment, but club sources confirmed the team would be interested in Johnson if Dempster left and their bid for San Diego's Jake Peavy was rejected, which appears likely.

Johnson went 11-10 with a 3.91 ERA for Arizona in 2008, with 173 strikeouts in 184 innings. He agreed to return to the Diamondbacks for considerably less than the $16 million he made in 2008, but negotiations fell through Thursday night and Johnson filed for free agency."