can sign no more big fa's?

 

...which would kill them if Vasquez had to be sent back.

 

Here's what I'm talking about.

 

While researching another topic, I was reading through the latest MLBPA CBA (Collective Bargaining Agreement), here:

 

MLBPA-CBA

 

Scroll down to Article XX, Section B, sub-paragraph 5a (page 70).

 

If I'm reading that right, then no team can sign more than 6 total Type A and Type B free agents (there are 117 Type A and B free agents this year).

 

Here is who the Yankees have signed so far:

Tom Gordon (A)

Paul Quantrill (A)

Felix Heredia (B)

Ruben Sierra (B)

David Wells (A)

 

BTW...I got the list of who is what type from these sites...

 

AL

NL

 

So if the sign Sheffield, a Type A, then they're done. No room for Lofton (B). No room to sign another FA pitcher (A or B).

 

Am I reading this right?

really, weird.

 

Wells was a B I thought.

12/16/2003 4:26 PM ET

Yanks complete deal to acquire Vazquez

 

 

The New York Yankees today announced that they have finalized their December 4 trade with the Montreal Expos to acquire right-handed pitcher Javier Vazquez for first baseman Nick Johnson, outfielder Juan Rivera and left-handed pitcher Randy Choate after the respective players passed a physical examination.

Vazquez, 27, posted a 13-12 record with a 3.24 ERA in 34 starts for the Expos in 2003 (230.2IP, 198H, 93R, 83ER, 57BB, 241K). His 241 strikeouts ranked third in the Major Leagues behind only the Chicago Cubs' Kerry Wood (266) and Mark Prior (245). He held opposing hitters to a .229 batting average, seventh best among all National League pitchers. Vazquez also ranked among National League leaders in innings pitched (second with 230.2), strikeouts per nine innings (fourth at 9.4) and ERA (10th at 3.24). He recorded nine 10-strikeout games in 2003, second most among all Major-League pitchers (Kerry Wood had 11, 10-strikeout games in 2003), and ranks second on the Expos' all-time list with 1,076 career strikeouts. He was originally drafted by the Expos in the first round (fifth overall pick) of the 1994 draft.

 

"We are excited to add such a quality young starter to our rotation," said Yankees' Senior Vice President and General Manager Brian Cashman. "At the age of 27, Vazquez has been one of the leading pitchers in the National League and we look forward to seeing him bring his successful track record to the Yankees."

 

Johnson, 25, batted .284 (92-for-324) with 14 home runs and 47 RBI in 96 games with the Yankees in 2003 (60 starts at first base, 30 starts at designated hitter). Although he led the Yankees with a .422 on-base percentage in 2003, he missed 61 games from May 17-July 25 while on the disabled list with a stress fracture in his right hand. Johnson was originally selected by the Yankees in the third round of the 1996 free-agent draft.

 

Rivera, 25, recorded a .266 batting average (46-for-173) with seven home runs and 26 RBI in 57 games with the Yankees in 2003. He began the season with Triple-A Columbus and was first recalled by the Yankees on May 23. With the Clippers, Rivera batted .325 (100-for-308) with 21 doubles, seven home runs and 37 RBI. He was signed by the Yankees as a non-drafted free agent on April 12, 1996.

 

Choate, 28, appeared in five games for the Yankees in 2003, posting a 0-0 record with a 7.36 ERA (3.2IP, 7H, 3R, 1BB). He spent most of the season with Triple-A Columbus, where he was 3-5 with a 3.91 ERA in 54 games (three starts). He was selected by the Yankees in the fifth round of the 1997 free-agent draft.

Wells and Sierra don't count. They were Yankees beforehand.