The Javier Vazquez trade

by Adam J. Morris on Dec 2, 2008 7:12 PM CST

Javier Vazquez has supposedly been traded to the Atlanta Braves, along with Bob Sturm lookalike Boone Logan, for Jo-Jo Reyes, Brent Lillibridge, and another "top prospect."

Vazquez has 2 years left at $23 million on his deal. He's also had remarkably consistent FIPs the past three years -- 3.86, 3.80, and 3.74 -- which belies his 2006 and 2008 ERAs in the high 4s.

My initial reaction was that this was a bad deal for Atlanta, but now, I'm thinking otherwise. It depends on the final prospect, of course -- I can't imagine Jordan Schafer or Tommy Hanson are in this deal, which would change things -- but Reyes is a fairly generic nice lefty pitching prospect and Lillibridge is a guy who hasn't lived up to his statty hype, and looks much more like a future utility guy than a qualify MIF.

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Everything I have read or heard says

Morton, Lillinbridge and Flowers

I am a big Vazquez fan and think he will be a solid #2 in the NL

by laxtonto on Dec 2, 2008 7:23 PM CST reply actions

No Jo-Jo

Mark Bowman says it’s Vazquez and Logan for four Braves, none of which are Reyes. They pick from a list of five.

Link

Mike Grouse Interview - Rangers' Midwest Cross Checker

by Andy Seiler on Dec 2, 2008 7:23 PM CST reply actions

Peavey

Is it safe to assume that the Braves are out of the Peavey sweepstakes? Escobar was supposed to be the centerpiece of the deal, with Lillinbidge taking over at SS. I suppose that they could pick up another SS from free agency.

by Excel Hearts Choi on Dec 2, 2008 7:38 PM CST reply actions

I think it's safe.

The bloggerformelyknownasBigBaddBubbaJ

by NYTXFAN on Dec 2, 2008 8:06 PM CST up reply actions

The 4 players are....

Flowers, Lillibridge, Jon Gilmore and Santos Rodriguez.

by LiamP on Dec 2, 2008 8:08 PM CST reply actions

Can anyone...

throw out a comparable package of ranger’s prospects to that package? I know next to nothing about the Brave’s system so I don’t have a good knowledge base to decide whether it’s a good deal or not.

by rangerjake on Dec 2, 2008 8:15 PM CST reply actions

I'll Give It a Shot

Flowers – Max Ramirez a year ago
Lillibridge – German Duran with better potential
Jon Gilmore – Matt West with slightly higher ceiling (same draft class, quite similar production)
Santos Rodriguez – Bullpen version of Miguel de los Santos; pitched in the Appy League at age 20 (same level as Miggy at about same age)

Mike Grouse Interview - Rangers' Midwest Cross Checker

by Andy Seiler on Dec 2, 2008 8:24 PM CST up reply actions

Steal trade is a steal.

And That Happened: Sports with a Hint of Sarcasm

by philkid3 on Dec 2, 2008 9:08 PM CST reply actions

Flowers is the only prospect in Sickels top 20. Good deal for Atlanta. IMHO.

5) Tyler Flowers, C, Grade B: Love the power and walks, main question is glove.

http://www.minorleagueball.com/2008/10/23/641522/atlanta-braves-top-20-pros

Mitch Moreland - Rangers 2009 Minor League Player of the Year

by RangerMad on Dec 2, 2008 9:13 PM CST reply actions

Gilmore

He also gave Gilmore a C+ in the below-20 part. Not bad for his age.

Mike Grouse Interview - Rangers' Midwest Cross Checker

by Andy Seiler on Dec 2, 2008 9:15 PM CST up reply actions

vazeuez

seems to me to be kinda like pat burrell – a guy thats good and quite consistant but no one sees as being THAT good – however he is worth more than most ppl see him

Scout: He was a first-round pick right? Got a huge bonus?
KG: Oh yeah.
Scout: Well, he spent a lot of it on milkshakes.

by knockoutking on Dec 2, 2008 9:43 PM CST reply actions