December 25, 200421 yr VAZ: DON'T TRADE ME By GEORGE KING -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Email Archives Print Reprint December 25, 2004 -- According to Javier Vazquez, the Yankees would be wrong to deal him to Arizona for Randy Johnson. Talking in Ponce, Puerto Rico, soft-spoken Vazquez questioned the Yankees' intelligence if they trade him and said hearing his name in rumors made him feel unwanted in The Bronx. "I've had four consistent seasons in the major leagues, and for one bad second half it's unfair that they want to trade me," Vazquez said in yesterday's editions of La Perla del Sur. "I still trust in my abilities, and if the Yankees trade me, they will regret it. "I'm disappointed that the Yankees are talking about trading me for having only a bad second half to the season. After all [these] rumors, one feels not wanted." Vazquez, 28, was 10-5 with a 3.56 ERA in the first half of the season when he was an All-Star. He finished 14-10 with a 4.91 ERA and was hit hard in a relief appearance in Game 7 of the ALCS against the Red Sox. Despite Vazquez questioning the Yankees' thinking, it's very likely he won't be a Yankee for long. The Diamondbacks and Yankees were close to a deal last Wednesday that would have sent him and two prospects to Arizona. The Dodgers jumped into the fray and eventually killed a three-way, 10-player deal Tuesday. At the time, the Dodgers put the onus for the deal being flushed on Vazquez, saying the right-hander didn't want to be in L.A. for a physical Wednesday despite him being in St. John with a newborn on Monday. That made getting to L.A. impossible and was viewed as an excuse the Dodgers used after icicles formed on their feet. Now, the Yankees and Diamondbacks are confident they can work out a deal that will send Vazquez, Brad Halsey and prospects Melky Cabrera and Abel Gomez to Arizona for Johnson. The biggest hurdle is how much money the Yankees pay the Diamondbacks to help make up the $19.5 million difference between what Vazquez is owed ($35.5 million for three years) and the $16 million Johnson is due this season. If Vazquez is dealt, there is a strong possibility he won't pitch more than one year in Arizona. A player traded in the middle of a long-term contract can demand a trade or become a free agent after one season with his new team. Because Jeff Moorad is the CEO of Arizona and was fired by Vazquez as his agent, it's not likely Vazquez will want to stay a Diamondback.
December 25, 200421 yr Vasquez needs to realize that if you don't do well for the Yankees in the playoffs, then you are almost certainly going to be released or traded.
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