Posted November 11, 200519 yr Vazquez hopes to pitch closer to East Coast Stark By Jayson Stark ESPN.com Archive Arizona ace Javier Vazquez formally asked the Diamondbacks to trade him Thursday night, preferably to a team east of the Mountain Time Zone. Not because of money. Not to make trouble. Not because he dislikes anything about Arizona except its place on the map. This, Vazquez told ESPN.com, was just about family. "That's the whole thing," Vazquez said. "Me and my wife -- we're very family-oriented. That's the way my mom and dad raised me. That's the way her mom and dad raised her. When I played with Montreal and New York and I'd go on a long trip, my wife and kids were able to go home to Puerto Rico to see our family. And vice-versa. When I was home, our family could come and see us. "But in Arizona, it was tough. The toughest thing was that flight [from Arizona to Puerto Rico], especially with two young kids [ages 1 and 2] who have to move around and can't be still for two seconds. It was a whole-day trip. You leave at 9 [a.m.] and get in at 9-10 o'clock at night, and then have another hour and 20-minute ride to our house. It was just very hard. ... So for me and my family, it would just be easier to be closer to the East Coast." Because he was traded last January from the Yankees to Arizona while he was in the middle of a multiyear contract, Vazquez had the right to request a trade after playing out his first season with his new team. He can specify six teams to which he doesn't want to be dealt. The Diamondbacks now have until March 15 to trade him. If they don't, Vazquez either can rescind his request or opt to become a free agent -- which would void the two years and $24 million remaining on his contract. "This is often referred to as 'demanding' a trade," said Vazquez's agent, Seth Levinson. "But this isn't a demand. It's a respectful request, to be traded to a place that can satisfy his desire to be closer to home." Arizona GM Josh Byrnes didn't return either a call or an email requesting comment Thursday night. However, the Diamondbacks already had been looking for ways to manufacture more payroll flexibility. So they may not view the opportunity to move a $12-million-a-year player as a negative development. Vazquez's reasoning sounds almost identical to sentiments he voiced last December after the Yankees tentatively agreed to trade him to the Dodgers. At the time, Vazquez told then-Dodgers GM Paul DePodesta he preferred to stay in the east. So the Dodgers backed off dealing for a player who clearly didn't want to play on the West Coast. But two weeks later, the Yankees sent him to Arizona as the centerpiece in the Randy Johnson deal. And Vazquez has been wrestling with whether to stick it out or request a trade ever since. "During the season," he said, "my thought was, 'Well, maybe this can still work out for me to stay. Maybe we can figure something out.' But at the end of the day, it was just too tough for my family for us to stay there. ... "It was a tough decision," Vazquez said, "because I really enjoyed my time in Arizona. I had a good time with the guys on the team and everyone there. Everybody treated me well -- the fans, the organization, everybody. Just for personal reasons, it would be easier on my family to be closer to the East Coast." Vazquez said he knows that when people in Arizona hear he has "demanded" a trade, they might misunderstand his reasons. "But what other reason could I have?" he asked. "This is just what I said last year to the Dodgers. I could have said, 'Give me an extension, give me more money, and I'll stay with you guys.' But I don't want that. I just want to be somewhere that my family is more comfortable." Even though Vazquez is owed $11.5 million next year and $12.5 million in 2007, the Diamondbacks would be likely to have a long list of potential bidders for a 29-year-old right-hander who has averaged 206 innings a season for the last six years. Among teams that figure to be interested: the Mets, Marlins, Red Sox, Phillies, Blue Jays, Tigers and Cardinals. Jayson Stark is a senior writer for ESPN.com. Get them to eat Salary and perhaps take Mikey back? Put this into a 3 team trade somehow for the fish? If we can find a way, I would love it. I think he could do very well here. Arizona is a pitchers park and he would fit in well with the south florida community.
November 11, 200519 yr I saw this story break on ESPN.COM Insider! I would be thrilled to see Vazquez in a Marlins Uniform.. I do agree with you fish fan, If the dbacks eat some of his salary and (hate to say this but...) trade Lowell. This would give the Marlins the ability to play Cabby and at 3rd permant and have Beckett, Willis, Vazquez, and Vargas! Right, Left, Right, Left plus whoever wins the 5th spot! THIS WOULD BE GREAT FOR US!!! Lets see if we can pull the trigger
November 11, 200519 yr I saw this story break on ESPN.COM Insider! I would be thrilled to see Vazquez in a Marlins Uniform.. I do agree with you fish fan, If the dbacks eat some of his salary and (hate to say this but...) trade Lowell. This would give the Marlins the ability to play Cabby and at 3rd permant and have Beckett, Willis, Vazquez, and Vargas! Right, Left, Right, Left plus whoever wins the 5th spot! THIS WOULD BE GREAT FOR US!!! Lets see if we can pull the trigger Seems to me, even if the D'Backs contributed mightily, we'd still have to clear quite a bit of salary to squeeze him in. DW and Beckett are about to go through the roof, it would be difficult to imagine being able to afford a third (and much higher-priced) starter, although I suppose it depends on how the deal looks and who's involved.
November 11, 200519 yr If we get rid of Lowell's contract (8 mil), and let Encarnacion go as wel (4.5 I believe?), that clears up more than Vasquez's contract... I think such a move, however, hinders on the departure of one Carlos Delgado.
November 11, 200519 yr I don't see how we take on Vasquez' salary, unless we shed both Lowell and Delgado. I would rather see us keep Delgado.
November 11, 200519 yr The Diamondbacks are only responsible for $8-9 million of Vazquez's contract, or the amount Jared Weaver and Esteban Loaiza are asking for. Under the current circumstances, there will be plenty of teams interested in his services. It's not as if the Diamondbacks are quite stuck in a corner. If we were to get him, it'd take a good offer. Then again, Beinfest hasn't been afraid to trade off prized prospects (see the Olsen for Urbina offer in 05; or the completed trade of Urbina in 03)
November 11, 200519 yr The Diamondbacks are only responsible for $8-9 million of Vazquez's contract, or the amount Jared Weaver and Esteban Loaiza are asking for. Under the current circumstances, there will be plenty of teams interested in his services. It's not as if the Diamondbacks are quite stuck in a corner. If we were to get him, it'd take a good offer. Then again, Beinfest hasn't been afraid to trade off prized prospects (see the Olsen for Urbina offer in 05; or the completed trade of Urbina in 03) Lowell and Tankersley!
November 11, 200519 yr Vasquez is owed $8.5 million this year and $9.5 million next year. Lowell is owed $9 million the next two years. Marlins Vasquez Twins Lowell and money from the DBacks DBacks Good prospects from the Marlins and Twins I'd include Vargas or Olsen if we could get Counsel included in the deal to play SS next season. If we pulled it off, I'd let AGon walk. There is enough salary coming off the books to have Vasquez and Delgado if we played a cheap veteran or rookie at SS and had two cheap corner OFs.
November 11, 200519 yr Why is everyone so excited about possibly getting a guy with an 89-93 record and 4.28 era for his career?
November 11, 200519 yr The Twins wanted half of Lowell's contract paid for by the Marlins during the Lohse negotiations. Why is everyone so excited about possibly getting a guy with an 89-93 record and 4.28 era for his career? Why was/is everyone excited about Burnett? Some people feel our talented pitching prospects can not handle filling three spots on a rotation of a playoff contender. Vazquez comes at a price that is much more in line with his talent than most of the free agent options. And wants to come here, okay, some place like here.
November 11, 200519 yr The Twins wanted half of Lowell's contract paid for by the Marlins during the Lohse negotiations. Why is everyone so excited about possibly getting a guy with an 89-93 record and 4.28 era for his career? Why was/is everyone excited about Burnett? Some people feel our talented pitching prospects can not handle filling three spots on a rotation of a playoff contender. Vazquez comes at a price that is much more in line with his talent than most of the free agent options. And wants to come here, okay, some place like here. With this I have to agree Rferry :thumbup
November 11, 200519 yr I'm also gonna have to agree with rferry and 2003. Vasquez's health concerns me. For two seasons now rumors have been flying around that he was pitching injured. Other than that I would trade (LoDuca maybe?),Olsen or Johnson for a guy like Vasquez.
November 11, 200519 yr I dont agree, pitching hurt or not(we dont really know for sure), we dont need to take a risk on a pitcher who has been less than brilliant as of late, espicially with a $9 mil price tag.
November 11, 200519 yr I dont agree, pitching hurt or not(we dont really know for sure), we dont need to take a risk on a pitcher who has been less than brilliant as of late, espicially with a $9 mil price tag. Here's the conundrum. Do you keep the 9 million dollar 3B who 'may' be past his prime, and had a horrendous season. or Do you trade for the 9 million dollar pitcher who is in his prime, and maybe only needs to play in a smaller market with a GOOD team to do well?
November 11, 200519 yr Me thinks we can get Vazquez for Pierre or Loduca and Mota and I for one will do it in a heart beat especially since I believe (not to sure) that the Dbacks are only paying him 7mil a year while the Yanks pay the rest. There is no way however I trade Resop, Vargas, Olsen, and Johnson who are all cheap and almost if not ready to pitch in the big League's.
November 11, 200519 yr Me thinks we can get Vazquez for Pierre or Loduca and Mota and I for one will do it in a heart beat especially since I believe (not to sure) that the Dbacks are only paying him 7mil a year while the Yanks pay the rest. There is no way however I trade Resop, Vargas, Olsen, and Johnson who are all cheap and almost if not ready to pitch in the big League's. Only way Vasquez comes is it Lowell or Delgado go.
November 12, 200519 yr Me thinks we can get Vazquez for Pierre or Loduca and Mota and I for one will do it in a heart beat especially since I believe (not to sure) that the Dbacks are only paying him 7mil a year while the Yanks pay the rest. There is no way however I trade Resop, Vargas, Olsen, and Johnson who are all cheap and almost if not ready to pitch in the big League's. If we get rid of Lowell's contract (8 mil), and let Encarnacion go as wel (4.5 I believe?), that clears up more than Vasquez's contract... Vasquez is owed $8.5 million this year and $9.5 million next year. Lowell is owed $9 million the next two years. Lowell goes! We keep Delgado... How to pay for Vazquez salary?? Well like the quotes you deal Lowell and the departure of Juan Encar. money sounds good.. WE NEED DELGADO!! No need to trade him.. Trade Lo duca? THATS NUTS!! Lo duca is a great catcher with experience w/ beckett and willis! No way we get rid of him! Plus we take Vazquez one yr. at a time... We deal his in the 07' offseason
November 12, 200519 yr The Twins wanted half of Lowell's contract paid for by the Marlins during the Lohse negotiations. Why is everyone so excited about possibly getting a guy with an 89-93 record and 4.28 era for his career? Why was/is everyone excited about Burnett? Some people feel our talented pitching prospects can not handle filling three spots on a rotation of a playoff contender. Vazquez comes at a price that is much more in line with his talent than most of the free agent options. And wants to come here, okay, some place like here. Which begs the question, what would the DBacks give up to make it happen? They are losing Vasquez. How much would they pay for good prospects? Who knows. On the other hand, the DBacks are building for the future, IMO. Maybe they try to trade Glaus to the Twins to get some good prospects and put Lowell at 3B for two years while they build for the future. If they could get enough good prospects from us and the Twins, maybe they'd give up Glaus and stick Lowell at 3B while they work their young guys (like Drew) into the starting lineup over the next two years. DBacks Lowell Vargas Twins' prospects Twins Glaus (probably some money as well from the DBacks) Marlins Vasquez Counsel 1. Pierre 2. Castillo 3. Cabrera 4. Delgado 5. Lo Duca 6. Hermida 7. Conine/Willingham 8. Counsel 1. Willis 2. Beckett 3. Vasquez 4. Olsen 5. Johnson
November 13, 200519 yr The Twins wanted half of Lowell's contract paid for by the Marlins during the Lohse negotiations. Why is everyone so excited about possibly getting a guy with an 89-93 record and 4.28 era for his career? Why was/is everyone excited about Burnett? Some people feel our talented pitching prospects can not handle filling three spots on a rotation of a playoff contender. Vazquez comes at a price that is much more in line with his talent than most of the free agent options. And wants to come here, okay, some place like here. Which begs the question, what would the DBacks give up to make it happen? They are losing Vasquez. How much would they pay for good prospects? Who knows. On the other hand, the DBacks are building for the future, IMO. Maybe they try to trade Glaus to the Twins to get some good prospects and put Lowell at 3B for two years while they build for the future. If they could get enough good prospects from us and the Twins, maybe they'd give up Glaus and stick Lowell at 3B while they work their young guys (like Drew) into the starting lineup over the next two years. DBacks Lowell Vargas Twins' prospects Twins Glaus (probably some money as well from the DBacks) Marlins Vasquez Counsel 1. Pierre 2. Castillo 3. Cabrera 4. Delgado 5. Lo Duca 6. Hermida 7. Conine/Willingham 8. Counsel 1. Willis 2. Beckett 3. Vasquez 4. Olsen 5. Johnson looks like a pretty good deal, works for all teams involved.
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