Who’s Pitching Trade-Bait?
It’s been reported that Arizona Diamondbacks pitching ace, Javier Vazquez wants to be traded east. The former New York Yankees was shipped off to the D-Backs in a trade to bring the Big Unit, Randy Johnson, to the Big Apple.
Vazquez has struggled the last couple of years, but was a powerful presence when he was with the Expos in 2003. He’s that type of player that when he’s happy and he fits, could be dominating. His stuff is descent, and he’s been an innings eater. It might be worth looking at acquiring Vazquez and dumping some of our unfavorable arms. The downside is that Javier makes some pretty decent money, thanks to the free agent signing of Vazquez by the Yankees for the 2004 season.
Because he was traded last January from the Yankees to Arizona while he was in the middle of a multiyear contract, Vazquez had the right to request a trade after playing out his first season with his new team. He can specify six teams to which he doesn’t want to be dealt.
The Diamondbacks now have until March 15 to trade him. If they don’t, Vazquez either can rescind his request or opt to become a free agent — which would void the two years and $24 million remaining on his contract.
“This is often referred to as ‘demanding’ a trade,” said Vazquez’s agent, Seth Levinson. “But this isn’t a demand. It’s a respectful request, to be traded to a place that can satisfy his desire to be closer to home.”
Arizona GM Josh Byrnes declined comment, other than to acknowledge Vazquez’s request. However, the Diamondbacks already had been looking for ways to manufacture more payroll flexibility. So they may not view the opportunity to move a $12-million-a-year player as a negative development.
Vazquez’s reasoning sounds almost identical to sentiments he voiced last December after the Yankees tentatively agreed to trade him to the Dodgers. At the time, Vazquez told then-Dodgers GM Paul DePodesta he preferred to stay in the east. So the Dodgers backed off dealing for a player who clearly didn’t want to play on the West Coast.