<i>ANAHEIM, California - The Arizona Diamondbacks continue to make waves in the free agent marketplace, reportedly signing veteran righthander Russ Ortiz on Friday in what could be a precursor to a blockbuster involving Randy Johnson. The team has called a news conference for 5 p.m. EST. The deal reportedly is for four years. The move would come on the heels of Arizona shelling out a reported $45 million over four years for third baseman Troy Glaus on Thursday. The move bolsters Arizona's rotation and sets it up to deal ace Randy Johnson, one of the most coveted pitchers on the market. The 41-year-old Johnson has been targeted by the New York Yankees in a deal that reportedly would bring back Javier Vazquez. The signing of Ortiz, the addition of Vazquez and the return of Brandon Webb would go a long way to helping rebuild a club that went 51-111 last season. Ortiz, who makes his home in Phoenix, has spent his last two seasons with Atlanta. He was 15-9 with a 4.13 ERA in 34 games, allowing 197 hits and striking out 143 in 204 1/3 innings. Over two seasons with the Braves, Ortiz went 36-16. One of the most consistent and durable pitchers in the game, Ortiz has won at least 14 games in each season since 1999 and has logged at least 204 innings in all but one of those years. Ortiz, who spent his first five seasons with San Francisco, has a career record of 103-60 with a 4.00 ERA. </i> http://sports.espn.go.com/espn/wire?section=mlb&id=1943532
