Sunday, November 28, 2010

Marlins Could Benefit from Signing Vazquez

Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports tweeted that Javier Vazquez has reached a one year deal with the Florida Marlins for a reported $7 million dollars.  Vazquez was 10-10 with a 5.32 ERA for the Yankees this past
season, and towards the end of the season was actually pulled out of the team's starting rotation.  However, this still could be a good deal for the Marlins.  The last time Vazquez pitched in the NL, for the Braves in 2009, he was 15-10 with a 2.87 ERA and 238 strikeouts in 219.1 innings (he was also fourth in Cy Young voting).  The first time Vazquez pitched in New York in 2004, he couldn't perform under intense pressure.  The same happened this season with the Yankees and I think the move back to the NL is going to help big time.  Vazquez will be closer to his home in Puerto Rico, meaning less travel for his family (this was one reason he wanted a trade from the Arizona Diamondbacks in 2005).  Florida offers much less pressure than NYC, and Vazquez should be comfortable enough to have a much better season than in 2010.  Also, for Florida, $7 million dollars won't break the bank, so if the Vazquez doesn't work out the Marlins won't be wasting much.  If Vazquez pitches well, however, the Marlins may have made one of the best pick-ups of the offseason.

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