Vazquez Signs One-Year, $7MM Deal With Marlins (Updated)

From ESPN:

Free-agent pitcher Javier Vazquez has agreed to terms on a one-year deal with the Florida Marlins, multiple outlets are reporting Sunday. The 34-year-old right-hander had been on the Marlins' shopping list since the trade of Dan Uggla freed up money for a veteran starting pitcher. ...

In fact, there was enough interest, sources told ESPN.com, that Vazquez turned down two multiyear offers -- one of which was believed by other clubs to be potentially worth $20 million over the two years.

Terms of the deal were not disclosed, though it's unlikely it would approach $10 million a year. However, Vazquez has portrayed himself this winter as being more concerned with finding the right fit than the most dollars.

Because Vazquez was a Type-B free agent, and was offered and decline arbitration, the Yankees will receive a draft pick.

Good luck in Florida, you gutless bitch.

... I kid, I kid.

(UPDATED 8:15 PM)

Vazquez Declines Yanks Arbitration Offer

In case you missed it earlier, the Yankees offered salary arbitration to Javier Vazquez. Here is why via Ken Rosenthal:

The Yankees plan to offer salary arbitration to free-agent right-hander Javier Vazquez, but not because they want to retain him.

Vazquez, a Type B free agent, has agreed to reject the Yankees' offer, enabling the team to collect a supplemental draft pick between the first and second rounds when he signs with another team, major-league sources say.

Teams frequently make such gentlemen's agreements with Type B free agents. No harm is done to the signing team, which does not lose a pick for signing a Type B player.

Thanks, Javy.

Official Elias Rankings Released

The official Elias rankings for the upcoming offseason were released yesterday, here how the Yankees free agents ranked:

Type A:

• Mariano Rivera
• Derek Jeter
• Andy Pettitte
  

Type-B:

• Lance Berkman
• Kerry Wood
• Javy Vazquez

Having these guys qualify as Type-B's means the Yanks would receive a supplemental first round draft pick in next year if they sign elsewhere. However, to receive those picks the Yankees would first have to offer each player arbitration. Considering they haven't done that in two years, and the money it could cost if one or more players accept, I wouldn't expect that to happen.

A Couple Pitching Updates

Much to the surprise of nobody, Joe Girardi announced after tonight's game that CC Sabathia will be the Yankees ALDS game 1 starter.

In other pitching news, Andy Pettitte's start tomorrow will be pushed back. He said during the postgame that he will not pitch tomorrow. Girardi confirmed Pettitte's comments and said that Javier Vazquez will start in his place. Pettitte will start one of the games in Fenway and be lined up for what I assume will be game 2 of the ALDS.

ESPN: Vazquez to be Skipped

From Andrew Marchand:

The New York Yankees plan on bouncing Javier Vazquez from their rotation.

With Andy Pettitte on target to return from the disabled list next Sunday in Baltimore, a team official told ESPNNewYork.com that the Yankees plan to use Thursday's off day to skip Vazquez's next turn.

CC Sabathia will start in Tampa on Monday. He will be followed by rookie Ivan Nova and Phil Hughes. A.J. Burnett will start Friday in Baltimore. On Saturday, Sabathia will go again, followed by Pettitte, who will return Sunday against the Orioles. Pettitte still needs to get through his final minor league rehab start in Altooona on Tuesday.

When the specifics of the Yankees' plan were laid out to Yankees manager Joe Girardi, he declined to confirm it.

"It could line up that way," Girardi said. "Like I said, I'll announce it when I have it."

Girardi prefers to wait to announce such moves in case Pettitte has trouble on Tuesday or another injury changes the team's plans.

Girardi did confirm that Vazquez will be available out of the bullpen on Monday. He did not throw a full side session on Sunday, which is his normal routine after starting on Friday. Vazquez said the Yankees have not yet told him he is out of the rotation.

With Pettitte you have seven guys who can start: CC, Pettitte, Nova, Burnett, Vazquez, Hughes and Moseley. CC, Pettitte, Nova and Burnett will stick with their spots. That leaves one for the other three. Clearly, Hughes has pitched the best of the three and under normal circumstances would hold down that spot in the rotation, but he's rapidly approaching his innings limit and like I said the other day, he looks tired. I know many are against this, but maybe moving him back to the pen, sooner rather than later, is best for the 2010 Yankees (and Hughes' arm). What do you think?

Girardi: Javy Will Stay in the Rotation

Here's a quote from Girardi about Vazquez via Chad Jennings:

“My plan is for him to stay in the rotation,” Girardi said. “I can’t tell you exactly what’s going to happen. There are no guarantees in this game. When you start making guarantees as a manager, that’s when you get into trouble, but my plan is for him to pitch for us.”

At this point Moseley might be the better option, but I have no problems with the Yanks giving Vazquez another shot or two.

Javy Has A Dead Arm

From Andrew Marchand:

The New York Yankees believe they know why starter Javier Vazquez had a mysterious drop in the velocity of his fastball Friday.

"He has a little dead arm," pitching coach Dave Eiland told ESPNNewYork.com. "Nothing more than that."

Yankees manager Joe Girardi raised alarms by admitting that Vazquez's velocity was down Friday when he gave up six runs, three earned, in 5 1/3 innings. Girardi said the Yankees would examine why Vazquez couldn't reach 90 mph on his fastball.

...

Eiland said the Yankees' course of action for the dead arm will be to cut down on Vazquez's workload between starts. At this point, Eiland said it will not affect when Vazquez starts.

If he continues to struggle, it might be wise to skip one of his starts to make sure he's 100%, or close to it, down the stretch. The only problem with that is the Yankees don't have another off-day until the 26th, and then don't have another one until September 9th, so for that to work out they'd either need to give Sergio Mitre another start, or call someone up. Hopefully, the extra rest between starts is enough.

Would Landing Haren Mean No Lee?

From Joel Sherman:

The Yankees all but had Cliff Lee on their roster two weeks ago. They are going to make sure they do not do anything to let him slip away again. That is a major reason they are hesitant to obtain Dan Haren from the Diamondbacks.

Now is the moment to stop reading if you believe the Yankees have no payroll guidelines. But if you believe Hal Steinbrenner is going to hold the payroll to about $200 million again in 2011 — and that is how the Yankees’ front office is operating — then it will be difficult to obtain Haren and still find the $25 million or so under the seat cushions for Lee. And Lee clearly is the Yankees’ top free-agent target of the coming offseason, just like he was earlier this month in the trade market

Are you buying this?

With Javier Vazquez and Andy Pettitte (and the $23 million the Yanks are paying the two) most likely coming off the books next year, that means the Yanks will need pitching. Filling those two spots with Haren and Lee would more than make up for the losses.

Let's say they do get Haren, are they really going to pass up a rotation of CC, Lee, Haren, Burentt and Hughes, to save money?

(UPDATED AGAIN) Lee to Texas is a Done Deal

(UPDATE: 5:00 PM) From Joel Sherman:

i have learned deal done with Rangers, Smoak and 3 others for Lee and reliever Mark Lowe

I'm pretty disappointed the deal with the Yankees fell through, but at least we don't have to face him tonight.

(UPDATE: 4:15 PM) Here's the latest info from Joel Sherman:

Mariners have turned in a different direction and Yankees do not believe they are in it now (more to come)

...

To repeat the Yankees aren't getting Cliff Lee, Mariners concerned about David Adams ankle plus apparently another team has jumped in hard 30 minutes ago via web

...

Hearing Rangers are working really hard on Lee now. Tricky because of finances with team sale not complete and MLB-imposed budget

Besides the Rangers, the Reds are also involved.

(UPDATE: 3:06 PM) Via Mark Feinsand:

Cliff Lee is scheduled to pitch for the Mariners against the Yankees Friday night, but according to sources, it’s likely that Lee will be watching the game from the Bombers’ dugout instead.

Sources told the Daily News that a trade of Lee, the premium pitcher available on the market, from the Mariners to the Yankees is “imminent,” and will have to happen before his scheduled start against the Bombers.

(UPDATE: 10:35 AM) Here's the latest from Buster Olney:

Executive involved in Cliff Lee talks: The Yankees-Mariners deal "is just about done."

(UPDATE: 8:51 AM) Jon Heyman has confirmed through sources that Sherman's report was accurate, and Peter Gammons says a third team might be involved and that if that's the case than Javier Vazquez may also be on the move.

(UPDATE: 8:31 AM) According to Buster Olney on Mike and Mike in the Morning, the Mariners are likely shopping around to see if any team can surpass the Yankees offer. Either way, he sees a deal getting done with somebody today because the Mariners want to trade him before his next start, which happens to be tonight against the Yanks. So if nobody can beat the Yanks offer, Lee might be a Yankee tonight............ Wow.

From Joel Sherman:

The Knicks didn’t get LeBron James, but the Yankees were on the brink of obtaining Cliff Lee late last night for a package that would include top prospect Jesus Montero, the Post has learned.

Yankees GM Brian Cashman and Seattle GM Jack Zduriencik have been in constant contact over the last week, but it was only last night that the Seattle GM told Yankee officials he wanted to move quickly, possibly before the All-Star break.

The Yanks were not assured of obtaining Lee since other clubs such as the Mets, Twins and Rangers were in talks. But the Yanks were definitely making the strongest move last night, coming from seeming disinterest into the clear front-runner and last night it seemed they were all but certain to obtain the 31-year-old lefty.

...

Yankee management looked at its rotation and had some pause. CC Sabathia was again an ace and Andy Pettitte is pitching as well now as ever. But A.J. Burnett and Javier Vazquez are not fully trustworthy, especially for the playoffs, and Phil Hughes has an innings limit of about 175, and might not be available to start.

Cashman might now be in position to either put Hughes in the bullpen to bolster that shaky area or trade a starter, possibly Vazquez, for a few prospects. It was possible that injured Double-A second baseman David Adams also was part of the deal to Seattle since he is a player the Mariners like a great deal.

Whoa, did not see that coming. I have mixed feelings about giving up Montero for Lee, but you have to believe that this will not just be a rental and the Yankees would lock him up long-term, and a rotation of CC, Lee, Andy, Hughes and A.J. would be absolutely deadly. That's four all stars and A.J. Burnett.

Going back to the Jayson Werth rumors from yesterday, if they do land Lee trading a guy like Vazquez for Werth--if the Phillies would actually do that--makes a lot of sense and ccording to George A. King III, the Yankees are interested. With six starters Javy becomes expendable and the addition of Werth would be a nice boost to the lineup.

Let me be clear, I don't expect the Yankees to get Werth, nor do they need him. I'm just saying that a deal for him would make more sense if the Yanks added Lee first.

Anyway, if anything happens I will update this post, but for now, what are you thoughts on all this?

Rosenthal: Yanks Starting To Show More Interest In Lee

From Ken Rosenthal:

The Yankees’ interest in trading for Mariners left-hander Cliff Lee is real, but only at a suitable price.

Lee, the biggest prize in this year’s trade market, is a known target of the Twins, Rangers, Mets and other clubs.

The sincerity of the Yankees’ interest has been in question, but they are indeed “kicking the tires,” according to a source with knowledge of the team’s thinking.

The source, however, estimates that the Yankees’ chances of landing Lee are “less than 50 percent,” and says that such a move likely would require the team to spin right-hander Javier Vazquez to another club.

While obviously not desperate with five solid starters, the Yankees must be starting to realize that a 1-2 of CC and Lee, with Pettitte, Burnett/Hughes to follow, will be nearly unbeatable in October.

I like the Yankees approach here. They're gonna sit back, see what other teams offer, and if they can and are willing to match said offer, they will. If not, they go forward with the five they have and will most likely add Lee in the winter.

One thing they must do, regardless of Lee, is fix that bullpen, but that's a whole other story.

Updates On Vazquez and Aceves

Here's some good and bad news. First, the good: Javier Vazquez threw a bullpen session today and reported no pain. He was able to throw all of his pitches and it looks like he'll be able to make his start on Thursday. “It felt normal,” Vazquez said. “I didn’t feeling it pitching so I’m ready to go Thursday.”

And now the bad: Alfredo Aceves suffered a setback today during a flat ground throwing session. After six or seven pitches Aceves felt something in his lower back and was forced to stop. The Yankees aren't sure what they're going to do from here, but Chad Jennings says it sound possible that Aceves will go back to New York for some more tests.

Vazquez Questionable For His Next Start

Here's an update on Javy from Pete Caldera:

Right-hander Javier Vazquez made some tosses on flat ground before Saturday night’s game at Citi Field, testing his bruised right index finger. "It felt OK," said Vazquez, though he isn’t certain about making Thursday’s scheduled start at Minnesota until he throws a bullpen session Monday or Tuesday.

"[It’s] way too early to tell," manager Joe Girardi said.

After the start he had I never thought I'd say this, but the Yankees kinda need Javy to come back soon, especially if he continues to pitch like he has in his last three outings.

Vazquez Says He's "Pretty Sure" He'll Make His Next Start

These injuries are becoming utterly ridiculous, and it's almost to the point where I'm afraid to watch game because I don't want to see what will happen next. Well, what happened next was Javier Vazquez took a foul tip off his right index finger while attempting to bunt a ball in the 7th inning of tonight's game. He didn't realize he was bleeding and eventually laid the bunt down successfully. Once he returned to the dugout and Girardi and the training staff saw his finger his night was over after six innings of one-hit baseball.

Here's the good news: X-rays taken tonight were negative and Vazquez said, “I’m pretty sure I’m going to make my next start.”

Javy: I'm looking forward to tonight

From George A. King III:

"I am looking forward to [tonight]," Vazquez said. "I don't know the last time I took a break like that."

Vazquez upped the intensity in his two bullpen sessions and lengthened them from 40 to 60 pitches.

"When you struggle your confidence goes down," Vazquez acknowledged. "But I feel good about [tonight]."

He doesn't have an easy task with this Tigers lineup, but at least he sounds like he's ready to go. I don't expect much, but after looking bad two nights in a row this team could use a jolt right now, and a surprising performance from Vazquez do just that.

How do you think Javy will do tonight?

Vazquez To Be Skipped Against Boston (Updated)

Here's an update via Bryan Hoch:

The Yankees will push struggling starter Javier Vazquez back this weekend to avoid pitching against the Red Sox at Fenway Park, opting to use Phil Hughes on Friday.

Vazquez will instead take the mound against the Tigers on Monday at Comerica Park, after throwing a pair of side sessions on Tuesday and Friday that manager Joe Girardi said would be higher intensity than usual.

Girardi spoke to Vazquez on Monday at Yankee Stadium about the decision, and though he campaigned to get back on a mound as quickly as possible, Girardi believes that after five starts it is time to try something different.

"He wants to get back out there and pitch, and that's how I would expect him to be," Girardi said. "I just thought he could use a little time to catch his breath."

Smart move by the Yanks.

***Original Post***

Sorry for the back-to-back Javier Vazquez posts, but I found this pretty relevant. According to Mark Hale, the Yankees are leaning towards skipping Javier Vazquez's start in Boston this week. To me, this is a no-brainer. The Yankees have Thursday off, so skipping him wouldn't create any issues with the rest of the rotation, plus throwing Javy in Fenway against the Sox is a recipe for disaster.

Harper: Trade Javy To The Mets

John Harper of the Daily News writes this morning that the best thing the Yankees can do with Javier Vazquez is to trade him to the Mets. He argues that it could help both sides, and that a move to the NL will allow Vazquez to "go right back to being a dependable starter, if not the Cy Young contender he was last year." He looks at the move as a salary dump for the Yankees, plus "they could wash their hands of what is developing into a major problem."

He goes on to talk about how Mets GM Omar Minaya has always thought very highly of Vazquez, and never wanted to trade him from the Expos when he was the GM there.

For that matter, it's no secret that Minaya has always valued Vazquez highly, and looked into trading with the White Sox for him in recent years, and then last off-season before the Braves dealt him to the Yankees.

A baseball source said Minaya couldn't make the deal with the Braves because he didn't have a highly-regarded pitching prospect to include, as the Yankees did in giving up Arodys Vizcaino.

I do think the Mets would have an interest in him, but I don't think it's time for the Yankees to give up on Vazquez...... yet.

You may be surprised to read that after reading a few past quotes of mine, but as of now I don't think this move makes sense. Vazquez's value is about as low as it can be and while I do think New York, and especially with the Yankees, isn't the best place for him, there is always the chance that he does turn things around.

What do you think? Is it time to give up and see if there are any takers or should the Yankees wait a little while and see if Vazquez can turn things around?

Whitson on Vazquez

Ian O'Connor recently sat down with Ed Whitson to talk about struggling in New York. O'Connor also brought up struggling right-hander Javy Vazquez to see what Whitson thought of his chances at succeeding in this town.

Whitson watches his fair share of big league baseball, and yes, he's had his eye on Javier Vazquez for some time.

"I was impressed with him in Atlanta," Whitson said. "He's got great stuff, and when he's relaxed and has his confidence under his belt, that boy can be nasty.

"He's got all the tools it takes to pitch in New York if they'll just give him a little breathing room. Right now his confidence looks really low, just like mine was."

Any advice, from one accidental tourist to another?

"I would tell Vazquez I've been there," Whitson said. "I'd tell him to forget about everything people are saying and just throw the damn ball like you threw it in Atlanta. I'd tell him you can't make every pitch perfect, because only God himself can do that."

Believe it or not, I'm hoping Javy turns things around, and I think Whitson gives him some good advice. What about you, what do you think of Whitson's remarks?

Breaking Down the May Schedule

With the Yankees finishing up April tonight with only their 7th home game of the season against the White Sox, I thought it would be a good idea to take a look and break down the May Schedule.

Home Games: 16
Away Games: 13

Three of the thirteen away games the Yankees will be sleeping in their own beds. (@ Mets)
The Yankees will spend just Three games in a different time zone (@ Twins) Central Time Zone.

Teams:

White Sox: 2 (home)
Orioles: 3 (home)
Red Sox: 6 (3 @ Boston & 3 home)
Tigers: 4 (@ Detroit)
Twins: 6 (3 @ Minnesota, 3 home)
Rays: 2 (home)
Mets: 3 (@ Mets)
Indians: 4 (home)

Teams Over .500: 4
Teams at .500: 1
Teams Under .500: 3

Significant Series:

@ Boston 5/7-5/9
Vs. Boston 5/17-5/18
Vs. Tampa 5/19-5/20
@ Mets 5/21-5/23

Possible Story-lines:

- Will Javier Vazquez recover from a terrible April, or continue to crack under the pressure of playing in NY?

- Can Mark Teixeira have a bigger May 2010 than his 2009?

- Can anyone get Robinson Cano out?

So the Yankees have a seemingly advantageous May schedule if you consider how well they play at home (5-1 this year, .703 Winning Percentage in 2009), the limited road schedule, and a 4-3 Home-Away split of significant series against tough division rivals. It's possible that the Yankees win 19 games this month making them 19-10 in the month of May. With one game left in April the Yankees currently sit at 14-7 (2.5 games behind the Rays). The Yanks are off to one of their best starts in the past few years and looking at the May schedule they are primed to continue their solid play. Obviously anything can happen, and that is why they play the games. Let's sit back and enjoy the ride.

Schilling: Javy Can't Handle the AL

From Michael Obernauer:

Speaking with Colin Cowherd on ESPN Radio, the former Red Sox righty gave Vazquez the backhanded praise of being "a phenomenal National League pitcher" - one who will never cut it in the junior circuit.

"I never, ever thought the move to New York the first time was a good one, and I didn't think this (move) was good as well. I don't think he suddenly learned how to pitch when he went back to Atlanta and dealt last year," Schilling said. "It's hard to say this without sounding disrespectful, and I don't mean it that way - the National League is an easier league to pitch in, period, and some guys aren't equipped to get those same outs in the American League. And he's one of those guys."

...

"(Vazquez) thrived in Montreal and he thrived in Atlanta, and those are both second-tier cities from a baseball passion perspective. He's not a guy that I've ever felt was comfortable in the glow," Schilling said. "... You're seeing what you're gonna get from him consistently all year. Having said that, he could turn around next week and throw a one-hitter with his stuff. I just don't see him being a consistent winner in the American League."

I'd love to disagree with Schilling here, but as I'm sure you all can tell, I can't. I just I hope I'm wrong.

It Seems My Quote About Javy Ruffled Some Feathers

I was out this morning running some errands, but I got home to see that my "gutless bitch" quote was posted and ridiculed on TYU and Craig Calcaterra's Hardball Talk. I have no problems with their opinions on my opinion, and here's some of what they had to say:

Calcaterra:

But to suggest that the guy's on-the-field failures are the result of some inherent character flaw or moral failing -- in other words, to call someone a "gutless bitch" -- seems way over the top to me. Save me the "you're not from New York and you don't know how it goes" business. This is just the most facile kind of analysis possible and it adds nothing to the party.

I said nothing of the "you're not from New York and you don't know how it goes" stuff. I also didn't mean it to be any kind of analysis. It was an opinion I had following yesterday's game. If I want to analyze why he sucks I'll do that in a separate post, however, Domenic did a fairly good job of that earlier in the day so I figured we had that end covered.

Anyway, on to TYU's Chris H:

Maybe I’m in the minority here, but is this not the dictionary definition of an overreaction? To criticize a Yankee for his lack of effort or for a mindless play is fair game, however, to label Javier Vazquez a “gutless bitch” and then to deem him “pathetic” seems excessive to me (it reeks of unbridled anger, as if Vazquez just kicked a small child). I think, at this stage in the season, it is certainly true that Vazquez has been a failure. That is fine to say. Of course, we are only 18 games into the season – 4 of those games were started by Vazquez (he has roughly 30 more to go) – which means that we have plenty of baseball left to see over the next 6 months. Therefore, I would refrain from fixing a label to Vazquez until he gets a few more innings under his belt. Let’s not fall for small samples, even if they are alluring.

I have to laugh at how seriously people take the things I say.

Sure, it was an overreaction, but I thought it was funny so I wrote it, and until I see otherwise I will stick to that assertion, even if it "reeks of unbridled anger". By the way, Vazquez did much worse than kick a child, he was the final piece in the worst collapse and moment in this franchises history, so forgive me if my patience is thin.

Thanks for the quotes, fellas.