The Bombers however, are not known for rolling over and playing dead. December 22nd, welcome back Javy Vazquez, your pinstripes have been kept to the side waiting for you. I remember immediately two things about Vaquez, monster first half in 2004 (I believe he was 10-5 heading into the all-star game) and a certain Johnny Damon Grand Slam in Game Seven. I believe he was also part of the Randy Johnson deal (and for those of you who do not know how I feel about Johnson, I NEVER liked him...even in pinstripes).
Vazquez was a monster in '09 for the Braves - 15-10, 2.87 ERA, 32 starts (which is actually slightly under his average year in the '00's), 219.1 IP, 238 K's, 1.03 WHIP. He also pitched incredibly well against the NL best, going 7-2 against the Phillies, Cubs, Mets, Dodgers and Cardinals. His one start against the Sox in inter-league yielded 7.2 IP, 1 earned run, 8 K's, 6 hits and 3 walks. For those keeping score, the Braves posted no run support and Javy took one of his ten losses that day in June.
Javy slots in as your fourth starter in a rotation that could be, one though five, the most complete in baseball. Sabathia is a legit ace and one of the top five pitchers in baseball, he's followed by AJ Burnett who is a true Jeckle and Hyde creation. If he has that breaking stuff in control, he's unbelievable...but that does not happen often enough. Pettitte's a grinder and owner of two of the most telling records of the past fifteen years. 18 Post Season victories and 6 series clinching wins. Lackey's got a game seven victory, Pettitte closed out every single series in this year's World Series run. His game three victory against the Phillies is a true testament to what you get with Andy. Even with less than perfect stuff he'll battle you all the way. Vazquez takes up residence in the four spot (where 32 starts and 200 IP looks almost unbelievable for a fourth starter) and you follow that up with either Joba or Hughes (the other playing 8th inning set-up bridge to Mo). Trading for Vazquez solidifies the rotation AND makes the bullpen just a little bit nastier. Joba or Hughes out of the pen is imposing, especially knowing Mo waits patiently at the other side. Hughes was a nightmare for opposing pitchers last season (post season aside) and we've all read enough Joba Starter or Reliever articles to understand the value he brings throwing bee-bees in the 8th inning. With Aceves and Marte added into this pen, the Yanks look solid heading into any late inning situation.
Exiting the Bronx is Melky Cabrera. I loved Melky at the bottom of the order, hitting walk off wins, adding youth and exuberance and a solid arm in Centerfield to the mix. Cabrera will be missed, albeit marginally as .270 averages with little to no power in the historic CF spot in the Bronx is easily replaceable. Cabrera's a solid switch hitting young player that should help the Braves, but there were no flashes of Mickey Mantle in this kids short Yankee career. Young pitching prospects, Mike Dunn and Arodys Vizcaino head to the Braves, Boone Logan (a young left handed reliever with little MLB success) comes to the Yankees. Vizcaino is the only prospect I've heard of, and the price tag for Vazquez is still validated. I'll miss Melky but the potential for a return of Johnny Damon into the Outfield mix (or perhaps another upgrade over current uber-sub Brett Gardner) has to loom over the holidays.
One through five, this rotation combines power, experience, multiple right and left handers, big game credentials a little youth on the back end. I love/hate the Sox one through three and would not want to face them in a short divisional series (which as fate would have it, is impossible as the Yankees and Sox are divisional foes)...but as a five man unit, you cannot beat the Yankees.
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Todd Price
