Well! Only a few hours after killing Frank Wren for standing pat this long, looks like he's making me eat my words. The Braves have sent four prospects to the Chicago White Sox for starting pitcher Javier Vazquez, including shortstop Brent Lillibridge and highly touted catching prospect Tyler Flowers. Vazquez has spent 11 seasons in the majors, playing for the Expos, Yankees, Diamondbacks and White Sox. A power pitcher (and a fairly solid #2), Vazquez put up great numbers in 2007 (15-8, 3.74ERA, 213Ks) before following it up with a mediocre, inconsistent 2008 season. Vazquez's arguably best season was 2003 with the Expos, with 13 wins, a 3.24ERA, 4CG and 241Ks.My brother will tell you I'm a fan of Javy's, especially in fantasy leagues. While he's not the bonified ace the Braves are looking for (and still could land in Peavy, Burnett or Lowe), he's a great piece for the rotation. He's an innings eater (averages 218 innings per year) who strikes out hitters, and pitching in a hitter's park in Atlanta is sure to help reduce his number of home runs allowed. Vazquez has over 2,000 career strikeouts and is under contract through 2010, making over $11 million.
Left-handed reliever Boone Logan will also join the Braves in the trade. Should he make the team, Logan could potentially fill the void left by free-agent Will Ohman, to whom the Braves did send a respectable offer this off-season. Logan has been a marginal reliever during his time in the majors, with an ERA above five.
Luckily for fans like me, none of the prospects headed to Chicago were involved in the talks with San Diego for Jake Peavy. However one of the hottest prospects in the organization is now off the table. Slugging catcher Tyler Flowers, a star in this year's recently completed Arizona Fall League, is the top name in the deal. Along with Flowers, shortstop Brent Lillibridge, third-baseman Jon Gilmore and pitcher Santos Rodriguez will be the prospects sent packing. With All-Star Brian McCann behind the plate for years to come, it makes sense to move Flowers while he's hot. After pounding the ball in the AFL, its likely several teams were asking about him. I like the deal, and think its a good start, but only if Wren and the Braves see Vazquez as a #2 (or #3) starter.
Winter meetings are next week, when the real wheeling and dealing begins. Expect Peavy to be traded, Sabathia to get signed, and big big contracts to be offered. More exciting hot stove news to come!
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