There are much better ways to measure a pitcher’s future performance than with ERA, WHIP, and, certainly,W’s and L’s. I’m fine with ERA (though RA would be a little better) and WHIP measuring actual performance for a year, but you also have to keep in mind that those two stats are a product of the pitcher’s ability, the fielders’ ability, the park, and sometimes luck. Vazquez won’t have a a DH to pitch to, gets a very good defensive infield, and won’t have one of the worst defensive outfields in baseball behind him. Sub 4 ERA for sure and I wouldn’t be surprised to see it go as low as 3.5.

Beyond the Boxscore’s take on the trade

JC Bradbury’s opinion

John Sickels’s preliminary 2009 Braves prospect rankings
What Sickel’s grades mean

i’ve just got a blank screen, and its 11:24.

I know a lot of people are less than enthused with Vasquez, but what’s done is done, and there are no take-backs. I’m optimistic, because with the departure of Hampton, uncertainty of Smoltz and Glavine, Huddy’s injury, let’s face it – the Braves only had Jair Jurrjens and Jorge Campillo likely slated to start, with guys like James Parr, Jo-Jo Reyes and Charlie Morton to fill the holes. Quite frankly, Vasquez is no ace, but he also shouldn’t be dismissed. And as far as I’m concerned eliminating one of the three mentioned stop-gaps from the rotation with Vasquez is a huge step up.

this was a good solid move by the Braves

I’ve been talking to some of my buddies up there and they think The Brave Ones got screwed. I disagree though. I bet one guy $10 Vasquez would do better next year than he did in ’08.

when the other team is doing cartwheels and backflips after a trade, not because of what they’re getting, but because a player is gone…yeah. thats a loss