Transaction Analysis: Javier Vazquez to the Braves. Plus, some more stuff on Citi Field
We knew this was coming, after Ozzie Guillen concluded the 2008 season by questioning Javy Vazquez's manhood and Vazquez responded by pitching poorly.
Let's call this one a win-win for now. The Braves get an innings-eater who will probably be happy to return to the National League. Vazquez never lived up to the hype he generated while excelling for Omar Minaya's Expos. He's a mistake on Brian Cashman's ledger, for one.
The White Sox, meanwhile, stock their farm system, and GM Kenny Williams gets some more payroll and roster flexibility; he already had traded Nick Swisher to the Yankees, as you know. Williams historically does well with such freedom, even if his plans don't always pay off immediately.
With Vazquez, the Braves have less of a need for Jake Peavy, although few would argue that Peavy is a class above Vazquez. For certain, this means Atlanta won't be going toe-to-toe with the big-market teams over A.J. Burnett.
UPDATE, 7:39 a.m. Wednesday: Here it is.
In the meantime, here are some other tidbits that I couldn't fit into the story for Wednesday's newspaper:
Anyway, if there's anything we've learned from the influx of new ballparks over the last 20 years, it's that we don't know how a stadium will play until it actually plays. So let's wait and see.
For both the Mets and Yankees, 2009 will be a year to watch regarding media relations. At the old stadiums, if we needed a player post-game _ particularly in a situation where a player wasn't thrilled to talk _ we knew precisely how to get him. There was just one way out of the clubhouse at Shea, and two at Yankee Stadium. They couldn't avoid us.
Now, however, in these new ballparks, the players will enjoy the luxury of myriad escape routes. Who will be accountable when he commits the game-losing play? Who will bolt? We'll let you know.
I'm curious to get the Mets fans' reactions, once the place opens. I wonder if it will diminish any of the animosity we saw toward the players so often at Shea? Or, if the Mets get off to a rough start, will the high ticket prices infuriate the fans all the more?
Or, as long as Heilman, Luis Castillo and Scott Schoeneweis are gone, could the Mets have played their home games at various Long Island high school fields and still built up good will?
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Comments (10)
Kenny Williams is indeed stocking young talent, but that still does not explain the lack of a single blue-chip prospect in the Swisher trade.
Perhaps anyone wanting to see a game at CitiField next season should bypass 718.507.TIXX and call 202.225.3121 instead? (Maybe Congress can appropriate the funds for the games that I wish to see?)
Re. the post-game locker room player escapes, I can already picture reporters chasing down players after games like papparazi and then somebody getting injured/hurt/sued. Is this obvious or what?
Hmm, not so sure about that one, Jon. The thing is, frankly, if they don't want to talk to us, it's a better story. Makes them look worse. I'm not risking life and limb just to speak to the guy who went 0-for-4 with runners in scoring position.
Ken,
Chicago Norm posted on The Final Score that Luis Sojo and Katarina Witt were born on this day in 1965.
In and of itself, that's another reason why Luis Sojo needs to be in Cooperstown.
SOJO!!!! It's not just another part of Manhattan!!
Vazquez was my offseason dream acquisition for the Mets. His ERA's have been hurt by the fact that he's played for some poor defensive ballclubs. His fielding independent stats are terrific.
Put him down for 32 starts, 200 innings, 200 K's and 60 BB's.
I agree James K. Vaquez is no star, but at the end of the Mets rotation he would've been stellar. That being said, Flowers is a big-time prospect. I thought he could've been a piece in a trade for a much better player. Glad to see Wren couldn't pull it off.
If Castillo and Heilman are gone, I think there is a bit more leeway. especially if Street and Hudson or Murphy are standing in there places.
While I love Jose the player, I think he might be king of the quick exit. Or does he stand and talk Ken?
I don't believe what you said about the braves now having a less of a need for peavy or burnett. They wore looking for 2 sp at the end of the off season. Now they have Vazquez to replace Hamptons spot in the rotation. So they still need two sp or at least one more.
Katarina Witt. Sigh.
Funny bit about the entrances and exits, Ken. Sounds like the old Bugs Bunny cartoon with the hallway full of doors... A-Rod running out and in them and the media horde following.
whynot, are you talking about Jose Reyes? He is extremely accessible and cordial.
this trade in no way lessens the braves desire to sign aj. Wren said he was going after two starters he got a middle of the rotation guy and now he will do whatever he can to get a top of the rotation starter