Yankees Aquire Vasquez

Nimrod's Son · 12-04-2003, 05:48 PM

NEW YORK -- The New York Yankees made their first big move of the offseason, bolstering their rotation by agreeing Thursday to acquire Javier Vazquez from the Montreal Expos.

Fantasy Focus
Click here for a fantasy breakdown from the Yankees-Expos trade.

In exchange for the 27-year-old right-hander, New York sent first baseman Nick Johnson, outfielder Juan Rivera and left-hander Randy Choate to Montreal. The deal is contingent on all the players passing physicals.

"It's tough to trade a pitcher like Javier Vazquez, but I think we have a better opportunity with the situation going forward," Expos general manager Omar Minaya said at a news conference in Montreal.

The Yankees issued a statement acknowledging the trade but said they wouldn't make any additional comments until after the physicals, citing major league rules.

Vazquez fills one of the holes in the Yankees' starting rotation. He went 13-12 with a 3.24 ERA for the Expos last season, ranking third in the NL in strikeouts with 241 in 230 2/3 innings.

He's three years younger than Bartolo Colon, a free agent that attracted the Yankees' interest.

"I think Vazquez is one of the better young pitchers in the game," Minaya said. "When he goes out there, he gives you everything. He's got one of the higher pitch counts in the game. That means he wants to be out there."

Minaya had been talking with Yankees general manager Brian Cashman for more than a month.

"Brian called me right after the season," Minaya said. "I told him, 'I don't have to trade Javier Vazquez. If you are interested, be aggressive.' And to his credit, he was aggressive."

New York's rotation, the backbone of its run to four World Series titles and six AL pennants since 1995, is unsettled. Roger Clemens retired, and Andy Pettitte and David Wells filed for free agency. In addition, Wells had back surgery Tuesday.

The Yankees' rotation *******s Mike Mussina, Jose Contreras, Jeff Weaver and Jon Lieber, who hasn't pitched in the major leagues since reconstructive elbow surgery in August 2002 but hopes to be ready for the start of the season.

Johnson, 25, played first base for much of last season because of Jason Giambi's knee injury after starting the season as the regular designated hitter. While he's regarded as a top hitter -- he batted .284 with 14 homers, 47 RBIs and a .422 on-base percentage -- he has been injury prone throughout his career.

Rivera, 25, hit .266 with seven homers and 26 RBI in 173 at-bats and has a strong throwing arm.

Choate, 28, pitched only 3 2/3 innings over five relief appearances for the Yankees last season, compiling a 7.36 ERA. He went 3-5 with one save and a 3.91 ERA in 54 games at Triple-A Columbus.

Montreal, which is owned by the other 29 teams, is faced with payroll limits. Vazquez, eligible for salary arbitration, probably will get a raise from the $6 million he made last season after losing his hearing. He is eligible for free agency after next season.

Johnson is eligible for salary arbitration for the first time this winter; Rivera isn't yet eligible.

New York will have to find another backup first baseman to spell Giambi, who had knee surgery after the season.

Meanwhile, the Yankees are pushing ahead on several fronts.

Gary Sheffield, who met Monday and Tuesday with Yankees owner George Steinbrenner at the team's spring training complex in Tampa, Fla., worked out Wednesday at the Yankees' minor league complex in Florida and took a physical Thursday.

Sheffield, a free agent, is closing in on a three-year deal with the Yankees worth about $39 million. About $15 million of the money will be deferred, and the deal will ******* an option for 2007.

In other news Wednesday, left-handed reliever Felix Heredia agreed to a $3.8 million, two-year contract to stay with the Yankees. Heredia was 0-1 with a 1.20 ERA in 12 appearances with the Yankees, who claimed him off waivers from Cincinnati on Aug. 25.

Heredia had a $1.7 million player option for 2004, which he declined. His new deal calls for $1.8 million salaries in each of the next two seasons and gives the Yankees a $2.5 million option for 2006 with a $200,000 buyout.

New York also is trying to re-sign Gabe White, another left-handed reliever. Chris Hammond, signed last offseason as a left-handed setup man, may be traded.

The Yankees also are close to a $6 million, two-year agreement with right-hander Paul Quantrill, who played for the Dodgers last season. Backup catcher John Flaherty has agreed to a $775,000, one-year contract, but must pass a physical for the deal to be finalized.

Information from The Associated Press was used in this report

-------------------

No word of an extension? I can't imagine they'd trade Nick Johnson for a 1-year rental.

coffee spoons · 12-04-2003, 05:50 PM

I HATE YANKEES ALMOST AS MUCH AS I HATE COONS.

12-04-2003, 05:53 PM

they are going to try to sign vasquez and the yanks being the yanks i'm sure they can work something out.

KrazeeStacee · 12-04-2003, 05:53 PM

this is the only vasquez that matters in the world

12-04-2003, 05:55 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by KrazeePumpkin
[b]this is the only vasquez that matters in the world

this guy may be a bit pissed about that

http://www.clevelandopera.org/pasqua...es/vasquez.gif

DevilSaint · 12-04-2003, 05:55 PM

This is the shitty "win now" culture of sports these days at it's worst. They're trading away their top, most popular prospect for a pichter who isn't even guaranteed to stay for more than a year.

skippy · 12-04-2003, 06:29 PM

Nick Johnson is a fine first baseman but this is still a good trade for the Yanks. The addition of Vazquez makes their rotation very formidable indeed and they still have some guy named Giambi to play first.

The rich keep getting richer.

Jaggie · 12-04-2003, 06:52 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by DevilSaint
This is the shitty "win now" culture of sports these days at it's worst. They're trading away their top, most popular prospect for a pichter who isn't even guaranteed to stay for more than a year.

Well I disagree. I love Johnson and Rivera and I think they'll be fine players, but Vazquez is one of the premier young pitchers in the game. He has had 3 straight solid seasons. Johnson is injury prone and had the big dufus ahead of him at 1B here in NY. Rivera will be a good player, but not great (read: Raul Mondesi). Overall a pretty decent deal.

Nimrod's Son · 12-04-2003, 06:54 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Jaggie
Overall a pretty decent deal.

Not for a rental. There has to have been a contract extension in there.

Since the early 90's, there have been a total of 4 Yankee players that I have seen come up through the system and I thought would turn into excellent hitters because I loved their swing and the way the ball jumps off their bat. Those players were Bernabe Williams, Derek Jeter, Alfonso Soriano, and Nick Johnson. Johnson is Paul O'Neill with better power.

jenniferkate · 12-04-2003, 07:08 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Nimrod's Son
Not for a rental. There has to have been a contract extension in there.

i'd read this morning that they were getting a 72 hour window to negotiate one. now i'm just confused. i hate to see nick go. and i'm leery of vasquez coming here and experiencing a weaveresque meltdown. and who'll back up giambi? maybe they'll sign mr. viagra. :erm

Nimrod's Son · 12-04-2003, 07:15 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by jenniferkate

i'd read this morning that they were getting a 72 hour window to negotiate one. now i'm just confused. i hate to see nick go. and i'm leery of vasquez coming here and experiencing a weaveresque meltdown. and who'll back up giambi? maybe they'll sign mr. viagra. :erm

That's what I don't get. I suppose they'll leave Bernabe in center then, and not go after Lofton, and sign Palmeiro. I'd rather see Posada get some time at first and DH to spell his knees, and let Flaherty take some extra games, but hey, what do I know.

DevilSaint · 12-04-2003, 07:21 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Nimrod's Son
That's what I don't get. I suppose they'll leave Bernabe in center then, and not go after Lofton, and sign Palmeiro.

They've been talking about maybe Scott Spezio also.

Jaggie · 12-04-2003, 10:25 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Nimrod's Son
Not for a rental. There has to have been a contract extension in there.

Since the early 90's, there have been a total of 4 Yankee players that I have seen come up through the system and I thought would turn into excellent hitters because I loved their swing and the way the ball jumps off their bat. Those players were Bernabe Williams, Derek Jeter, Alfonso Soriano, and Nick Johnson. Johnson is Paul O'Neill with better power.

I also really like Johnson and at one point would have agreed with you here, but his injury history is terrible and has been largely inconsistant (due mainly to those injuries). What we really need to do is ship out Giambi in favor of a good defensive 1B. I'd love a Torii Hunter/Doug Mientkiewicz for Giambi/Weaver and some prospects.

Homerpalooza · 12-05-2003, 03:46 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Jaggie

Well I disagree. I love Johnson and Rivera and I think they'll be fine players, but Vazquez is one of the premier young pitchers in the game. He has had 3 straight solid seasons. Johnson is injury prone and had the big dufus ahead of him at 1B here in NY. Rivera will be a good player, but not great (read: Raul Mondesi). Overall a pretty decent deal.

Vazquez is a pretty interesting player, not quite the dominant pitcher he should be yet. I've followed him pretty closely for a few years and every year he's erratic. He can be spectacularly dominant one game then just utter shit the next. I guess statistics-wise that averages out to being solid seasons.

Still, he was the best pitcher left on the market (yes, better than Colon and Brown) so no doubt this is a trade that benefits the Yankees.

Nimrod's Son · 12-05-2003, 01:00 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by DevilSaint

They've been talking about maybe Scott Spezio also.

I'd rather see JT Snow signed as a pure backup. Would be a great late inning defensive replacement in October.

12-04-2003, 05:48 PM	#1
Nimrod's Son Master of Karate and Friendship Location: in your butt Posts: 72,943	Yankees Aquire Vasquez NEW YORK -- The New York Yankees made their first big move of the offseason, bolstering their rotation by agreeing Thursday to acquire Javier Vazquez from the Montreal Expos. Fantasy Focus Click here for a fantasy breakdown from the Yankees-Expos trade. In exchange for the 27-year-old right-hander, New York sent first baseman Nick Johnson, outfielder Juan Rivera and left-hander Randy Choate to Montreal. The deal is contingent on all the players passing physicals. "It's tough to trade a pitcher like Javier Vazquez, but I think we have a better opportunity with the situation going forward," Expos general manager Omar Minaya said at a news conference in Montreal. The Yankees issued a statement acknowledging the trade but said they wouldn't make any additional comments until after the physicals, citing major league rules. Vazquez fills one of the holes in the Yankees' starting rotation. He went 13-12 with a 3.24 ERA for the Expos last season, ranking third in the NL in strikeouts with 241 in 230 2/3 innings. He's three years younger than Bartolo Colon, a free agent that attracted the Yankees' interest. "I think Vazquez is one of the better young pitchers in the game," Minaya said. "When he goes out there, he gives you everything. He's got one of the higher pitch counts in the game. That means he wants to be out there." Minaya had been talking with Yankees general manager Brian Cashman for more than a month. "Brian called me right after the season," Minaya said. "I told him, 'I don't have to trade Javier Vazquez. If you are interested, be aggressive.' And to his credit, he was aggressive." New York's rotation, the backbone of its run to four World Series titles and six AL pennants since 1995, is unsettled. Roger Clemens retired, and Andy Pettitte and David Wells filed for free agency. In addition, Wells had back surgery Tuesday. The Yankees' rotation *****s Mike Mussina, Jose Contreras, Jeff Weaver and Jon Lieber, who hasn't pitched in the major leagues since reconstructive elbow surgery in August 2002 but hopes to be ready for the start of the season. Johnson, 25, played first base for much of last season because of Jason Giambi's knee injury after starting the season as the regular designated hitter. While he's regarded as a top hitter -- he batted .284 with 14 homers, 47 RBIs and a .422 on-base percentage -- he has been injury prone throughout his career. Rivera, 25, hit .266 with seven homers and 26 RBI in 173 at-bats and has a strong throwing arm. Choate, 28, pitched only 3 2/3 innings over five relief appearances for the Yankees last season, compiling a 7.36 ERA. He went 3-5 with one save and a 3.91 ERA in 54 games at Triple-A Columbus. Montreal, which is owned by the other 29 teams, is faced with payroll limits. Vazquez, eligible for salary arbitration, probably will get a raise from the $6 million he made last season after losing his hearing. He is eligible for free agency after next season. Johnson is eligible for salary arbitration for the first time this winter; Rivera isn't yet eligible. New York will have to find another backup first baseman to spell Giambi, who had knee surgery after the season. Meanwhile, the Yankees are pushing ahead on several fronts. Gary Sheffield, who met Monday and Tuesday with Yankees owner George Steinbrenner at the team's spring training complex in Tampa, Fla., worked out Wednesday at the Yankees' minor league complex in Florida and took a physical Thursday. Sheffield, a free agent, is closing in on a three-year deal with the Yankees worth about $39 million. About $15 million of the money will be deferred, and the deal will *** an option for 2007. In other news Wednesday, left-handed reliever Felix Heredia agreed to a $3.8 million, two-year contract to stay with the Yankees. Heredia was 0-1 with a 1.20 ERA in 12 appearances with the Yankees, who claimed him off waivers from Cincinnati on Aug. 25. Heredia had a $1.7 million player option for 2004, which he declined. His new deal calls for $1.8 million salaries in each of the next two seasons and gives the Yankees a $2.5 million option for 2006 with a $200,000 buyout. New York also is trying to re-sign Gabe White, another left-handed reliever. Chris Hammond, signed last offseason as a left-handed setup man, may be traded. The Yankees also are close to a $6 million, two-year agreement with right-hander Paul Quantrill, who played for the Dodgers last season. Backup catcher John Flaherty has agreed to a $775,000, one-year contract, but must pass a physical for the deal to be finalized. Information from The Associated Press was used in this report ------------------- No word of an extension? I can't imagine they'd trade Nick Johnson for a 1-year rental. __________________ - Nimrod's Son: Problem Solver!**

12-04-2003, 06:29 PM	#7
skippy Apocalyptic Poster Location: NJ Posts: 4,096	Nick Johnson is a fine first baseman but this is still a good trade for the Yanks. The addition of Vazquez makes their rotation very formidable indeed and they still have some guy named Giambi to play first. The rich keep getting richer. __________________ Daddy, I want another pony.

12-04-2003, 05:50 PM	#2
coffee spoons Banned Location: Teh Klan Rally Posts: 260	I HATE YANKEES ALMOST AS MUCH AS I HATE COONS.

12-04-2003, 05:53 PM	#3
Quagmire Posts: n/a	they are going to try to sign vasquez and the yanks being the yanks i'm sure they can work something out.

12-04-2003, 05:53 PM	#4
KrazeeStacee Immortal Location: Sherwood Forest Posts: 21,296	this is the only vasquez that matters in the world

12-04-2003, 05:55 PM	#6
DevilSaint Apocalyptic Poster Location: Not Here Anymore Posts: 1,612	This is the shitty "win now" culture of sports these days at it's worst. They're trading away their top, most popular prospect for a pichter who isn't even guaranteed to stay for more than a year.