Vazquez Wants To Stay With Braves

Common speculation is that the Braves could shop Javier Vazquez or Kenshin Kawakami if they re-sign Tim Hudson.  Carroll Rogers of the Atlanta Journal-Constitution talked to Vazquez about the trade possibility, and the pitcher expressed his desire to stay with the Braves. Vazquez has been a bona fide ace in his return to the NL, with a 3.01 ERA, 216 strikeouts, and 40 walks in 197.3 innings.  He's signed affordably for next year at $11.5MM.  I've said it before: signing Hudson and having six starters under control on paper does not equal a surplus.  Derek Lowe is 36 and his numbers took a dangerous dip this year.  And whether Hudson, Kawakami, and Tommy Hanson can each throw 200 innings next year is an open question.  The Braves need a first baseman, an outfield bat, and a closer, but trading Vazquez for a hitter might just create a new hole.  We'll analyze the team's payroll commitments in the coming weeks and see if free agency offers any solutions.