Yardbarker: Javier Vazquez

After Getting Vasquez, Braves To Offer A.J. Burnett 5 Year Deal

Wed, 03 Dec 2008 12:31:51 -0500

It looks like somebody in the NL East is operating with a sense of urgency, and no, it's not the Mets. Less than 24 hours after trading for White Sox starting pitcher Javier Vasquez, the Atlanta Braves are moving swiftly toward acquiring free agent pitcher, A.J. Burnett. Adam Rubin of the Daily News writes: The Braves have put themselves in position to take one of the other big names off the free-agent market. Just as they were finalizing a trade for Javier Vazquez, the Braves were preparing a five-year offer for A.J. Burnett, according to sources. Burnett, considered the No.2 starter on the market, was expected to wait for Sabathia to make the first move. But with the Yankees, Red Sox and Blue Jays all apparently hesitant to give Burnett a fifth year, the 31-year-old might jump at Atlanta's offer before Sabathia makes his decision. This probably ends all of the Jake Peavy speculation, but despite that, getting both Javier Vasquez and A.J. Burnett would be a big and bold move for the Braves. Braves' GM Frank Wren promised his fans a return to the post season in 2009 and it looks like he means business. The Mets in the meanwhile, are content with just waiting the off season out, even as a fierce division rival bolsters their rotation with two top of the rotation starters.

Atlanta Braves Get Javier Vasquez

Wed, 03 Dec 2008 08:42:41 -0500

It seems like last off season, things were moving along pretty quickly with regards to trades and free agent signings. However, after checking some of last years transactions, things are basically just about the same. Last year we had those same anxieties, but nothing really started happening until after teams offered arbitration and the GM's met at the Winter Meetings. So hang in, we're almost there. That said, the Atlanta Braves made the White Sox put their money where their mouth was, and pulled off a nice trade from the Braves perspective. ESPN is reporting that right-handed pitcher Javier Vazquez has been told he's headed from the Chicago White Sox to the Atlanta Braves in a deal which is likely to be finalized today. Peter Gammons says that the deal will include four other players, including reliever Boone Logan, who would also go from the White Sox to the Braves. Among the players expected to go from Atlanta to the Chicago organization are Jo-Jo Reyes, Brett Lillibridge and another top prospect. MetsBlog had reported that Jo-Jo Reyes was not a part of this deal, so I guess we'll get the exact details after the trade is announced later today. I would rather see the Braves end up with Javier Vasquez instead of Jake Peavy whom they were hot on the trail of just two weeks ago. The Braves have taken some hits in the rotation with the loss of Mike Hampton who was finally healthy and signed with the Astros just last week. They also have their ace on the shelf recovering from surgery. Right-hander Tim Hudson had elbow ligament replacement surgery back in August and may not be ready until mid season. Vazquez is a workhorse, and their were many rumors the Mets had been interested in him over the past two seasons. At 32 years old, Vasquez, was 12-16 last season for the White Sox with a 4.67 ERA in 33 starts. He struck out 200 batters in 208 1/3 innings. I'm not sure if this deal ends the Braves' pursuit of Jake Peavy, or if it only gives them more leverage?

The Vazquez Trade: Can Anyone Get This Right?

Wed, 03 Dec 2008 03:50:15 -0500

Well, at this point in the night I have no idea who the White Sox acquired from the Braves for Javier Vazquez and Boone Logan. Amazingly, I am still unsure about who the White Sox got in return. The three following scenarios have been reported:

White Sox get (ESPN.com)
-Brent Lillibridge
-JoJo Reyes
... ...

Braves Acquire Javier Vazquez

Wed, 03 Dec 2008 03:13:24 -0500

According to ESPN, the Braves have sent Brett Lillibridge, Jo-Jo Reyes, and a prospect to the White Sox for Javier Vazquez and reliever Boone Logan. The deal is pending physicals by the parties involved. Vazquez heads back to the NL...

Javier Vazquez Traded by White Sox to Braves in 5-Player Deal

Wed, 03 Dec 2008 01:01:15 -0500

The Chicago White Sox have traded starting pitcher Javier Vazquez to the Atlanta Braves in a 5-player deal that includes Boone Logan, Jo-Jo Reyes, Brett Lillibridge and an unnamed top prospect.

The Vazquez Trade: Can Anyone Get This Right?

Wed, 03 Dec 2008 00:36:24 -0500

Vazquez: Good or Bad?

Tue, 02 Dec 2008 23:51:46 -0500

Watch out, Braves fans, here comes another sub-standard, past-his-prime, DL-bound pitcher to the Braves lineup.A At first, I was excited when I was told about the Javier Vazquez news because I thought it meant we were getting rid of Jo-Jo Reyes once and for all and maybe getting a bit of a ...

Vazquez implications

Tue, 02 Dec 2008 22:29:24 -0500

It appears that the Braves are on the verge of trading for Javier Vazquez. So what are the implications of the Braves acquiring Vazquez. Well first of all the Mets were rumored to be interested in Vazquez and will now need to look elsewhere for a quality starter. Vazquez is a 32 y/o right ...

Vazquez andLogan of Sox Traded to Braves

Tue, 02 Dec 2008 22:08:14 -0500

Here I am, eating my words once again. What [I said] was "Lots of talk about Vazquez being traded. That might be even more laughable because, first of all, he is not a bad pitcher. He's unreliable, sure, but he has lots of talent. Second, and most important, is that after a bad year, his trade value would be lower. If you're gonna trade Javi, wait 'till you can get something good. That's the idea that the people suggesting we should trade Floyd have, anyway (sell high, buy low...). Anything is possible, but I'd have to see it to believe it." Well, I lived to see the day. [Javi Vazquez has been traded to the Braves]- and he's taking Boone Logan with him. In exchange, the Sox will have the option to choose four of five players offered by the Braves. Their top two prospects are second baseman Brent Lillibridge and minor league catcher Tyler Flores who was tearing up the system with something along the lines of a .387 average with 12 home runs. That's another $11 million dollar salary the Sox don't have to deal with. What do I make of this? Well, first of all, I'm wondering what this means for our starting rotation. While Buehrle, Floyd, and Danks are all strong starters, what of the two remaining spots? There's Clay Rich, in theory. So that's that. And there's been lots of praise passed Poreda's way. But wasn't he just in AA? There's Lance Broadway, but there have been no signs of him advancing. And how about those rumors that the Sox are throwing out their big contracts so they can afford paying C.C. Sabathia? If the Sox hope to be in a pennant race next year, this rumor seems to make a lot of sense. I really hope this is going somewhere, because as of right now, it just seems like the Sox are trying to multiply the amount of players in their roster. (Swisher traded for 3 players, Javi & Boone traded for 4. -3 + 7 = 4, the number of players the roster has grown by through trades. Granted, we've lost Hall, Crede, and Uribe to free agency [Ramirez and Griffey are not worthy of any sort of mention], but there seems to be an excessive inflow of players, but nothing that really seems to be a permanent fix.) Once again, spring training will have to be telling.

Braves acquire Vazquez for 4 minor leaguers...

Tue, 02 Dec 2008 21:43:40 -0500

According to MLB.com, Javier Vazquez is coming to Atlanta, and as long as everything goes well with his physical, he'll serve as the first piece to the Braves' rotation-reconstruction process.

The Braves and White Sox are finalizing a six-player trade that would bring right-hander Vazquez and left-handed reliever Boone Logan to Atlanta.

According to a Major League source, Vazquez will travel to Atlanta on Wednesday for a physical. If all goes well, both teams could choose to announce this deal as early as Wednesday afternoon.

The Braves provided a list of five players from which the White Sox could choose four. Chicago is believed to have the most interest in shortstop Brent Lillibridge and Minor League catcher Tyler Flowers, who was one of the most impressive offensive weapons in this year's Arizona Fall League.

Logan, 23, has posted a 5.89 ERA in 144 career appearances. The 5.95 ERA he produced in a career-high 55 appearances this past season might have been affected by fatigue. He posted a 3.00 ERA and allowed opponents a .250 batting average in 39 appearances before the All-Star break.

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In my opinion, the Braves overpaid for Vazquez. I can see why the Mets did not get him. I guess that White Sox's GM Kenny Williams wanted F-Mart, Kunz, Parnell, and Niese which is ridiculous. Javier Vazquez is a good pitcher, but he is not worth four prospects.

Me Thinks The White Sox Are Up To Something

Tue, 02 Dec 2008 21:03:06 -0500

So far the baseball off-season has been tame.A The big name trades (Peavy) haven't yet occurred, the big name free agents (Man Ram, K-Rod, C.C., Tex) have yet to sign.A But, it would be foolish to think that no moves of consequence have occurred during this off-season.A One team has stood out ...

MLB Trade: Braves land Javier Vazquez for Jo-Jo Reyes, others

Tue, 02 Dec 2008 19:37:23 -0500

ESPN is reporting that Javier Vazquez, a player the Mets had shown interest in, will be pitching for NL East rival Atlanta next season.Vazquez has been traded in a five player deal, sending Boone Logan to Atlanta as well. Jo-Jo Reyes will be heading t...

Javier Vazquez Traded by White Sox to Braves in 5-Player Deal

Tue, 02 Dec 2008 19:09:38 -0500

The Chicago White Sox have traded starting pitcher Javier Vazquez to the Atlanta Braves in a 5-player deal that includes Boone Logan, Jo-Jo Reyes, Brett Lillibridge and an unnamed top prospect. Ken Williams has earned the trust of White Sox fans.

Braves Acquire Vazquez

Tue, 02 Dec 2008 18:56:24 -0500

It appears that talks were farther along than originally thought. The Braves have acquired pitcher Javier Vazquez from the White Sox in exchange for at least three prospects. One of those prospects is believed to be infielder Brent Lillibridge, who hit .200 with 1 HR in 29 games for the Braves this past season. As for the pitching prospects, Jo-Jo Reyes is not one of them. I would not be surprised to see Kris Medlen in the deal. Medlen is tearing it up in Fall Ball and had a pretty good season in Double-A.A

For more information, see the previous post. A

This story was approved by MLB Rumors.

Braves After Vazquez?

Tue, 02 Dec 2008 17:51:18 -0500

According to FOXSports.com, the Braves have engaged in talks with the White Sox about pitcher Javier Vazquez. The White Sox and Braves appear to be on the same page when it comes to the number of prospects the White Sox would receive, so all they need to figure out is who those prospects will be and how much money the White Sox would include. Vazquez, who has two years and twenty-three million dollars left on his contract, went 12-16 with a 4.67 ERA for the White Sox last season.A

If the Braves are going to trade for a pitcher, Javier Vazquez is one of the best, and will probably come at a cheap price. He will probably fair well in the National League and is very durable, so he should give the bullpen solid rest when he starts. No deal is imminent, but talks are promising thus far.A

This story was approved by MLB Rumors.