Javier Vazquez traded to the Braves

The Braves have made their first move of the offseason by acquiring starting pitcher Javier Vazquez from the Chicago White Sox in a 5-player deal. The Braves gave up pitcher Jo-Jo Reyes, infielder Brett Lillibridge, and and another unnamed prospect. In addition to Vazquez the Braves also got reliever Boone Logan. Braves fans have to be happy with this deal as it is a good start in shoring up their starting pitching, which by the end of last season was in shambles. Four of their top five starters going into last season were all injured for a majority of the year. Those starters being John Smoltz, Tom Glavine, Mike Hampton, and Tim Hudson. The Braves hope to have Glavine and Smoltz back and healthy, but that's hardly something to rely on. Hampton is as good as gone and Hudson will start the year on the DL after having elbow surgery. The one bright spot in the rotation was the emergence of rookie Jair Jurrjens. Javier "innings eater" Vazquez is not an ace type pitcher, but he will definitely fit in nicely as the third or fourth best pitcher in a rotation. The Braves hopefully aren't done though as they have been rumored to be interested in free agents Derek Lowe and A.J. Burnett. If they can sign one of those pitchers, than a starting rotation of Smoltz, Lowe/Burnett, Vazquez, Jurrjens, and Glavine/Campillo will look pretty tasty and hopefully the Braves can once again dominate the NL East.