Yesterday, I wrote about how I think Javier Vazquez, along with Ivan Nova, had a decent case for making the post season roster. After last night, I’m not too sure.
What has happened to Javier Vazquez this year–the poor results, the drop in velocity–is really quite sad. I, among others, wrote that Vazquez could have ended up being the Yankees’ second best starter this season. Unfortunately, I was wrong.
Even if he pitches well in the last week-plus of the season, I doubt he makes the playoffs after last night’s debacle. That’s a hard taste for anyone to wash out, and I don’t think Joe Girardi would be an exception.
Sadly, I’m not really too high on the other guys who would replace him. Royce Ring as a second lefty could be somewhat valuable and though he’s sucked of late, Gaudin could be useful; I won’t hold my breath, though.
Watching Vazquez of late has definitely been a total bummer and, like I said, it makes me think back to when the Yankees acquired him this winter and how excited I (we) were for Vazquez to return after his career year in Atlanta. This was a chance for Vazquez to make everyone forget about 2004, but sadly it didn’t happen.
Not counting the disappointing results, though, there’s nothing about that trade I would change. Boone Logan has been a pleasant surprise and Melky Cabrera would’ve had a very small role–if any role–on the Yankees with Brett Gardner’s emergence this year. That’s not even counting the fact that he’s making over $3M this season, which is way too much for a guy with a .295 wOBA, 83 wRC+, and 83 OPS+. Giving up Arodys Vizcaino was a bit of a stinger, but he spent some time on the shelf and as we said constantly: you always trade the guy who hasn’t yet hit full season ball for the proven name like Vazquez. Sometimes, though, the guys just don’t pitch like you want them to.
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6 Responses to Revisiting Javy and his Case
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One Ring to rule them all.
I too, was pumped about getting Javy back. I figured he could win 15-17 games with our lineup even though the AL East is a tough place to live. He mentioned a couple times early in the season that this might be his last year. He may have known something we didn’t.
Matt, i agree with you about the trade, melky had to go,{cano}..Javy had a great with the braves if i remember he had a two something ERA..a more mature guy,you would have thought..logan has been great, he is filling in for two lefties that are gone coke, and marte to injury..javy needs to pitch in the NL west and he will be good again..pray that girardi keeps him off the roster…along with the other three bums..they are all the same except for different names..it was also nice to hear you retreat on javy’s ability. i commend you .he is an embarrassment..as the pressure mounts this guy implodes …the AL east will test the metal of mediocre guys..
Can we please stop this Melky needed to be traded for Cano’s benefit stuff? Cano did just fine in ’06, ’07, and ’09 when Melky was on the team, didn’t he? That Melky was traded has everything to do with the fact that he was a replacement level player who was due for a biiig raise he wasn’t worth. It has little to do with Cano.
you said please ,so i know it must be a touchy subject,i will not say anymore that melky was holding cano back from focusing on baseball,and was a goof ball..after all you give concede javy is done..i tip my hat to you