Let the Braves' Javier Vazquez rumors begin

by gondeee on Nov 13, 2009 8:50 AM EST in Braves Trade News

With the signing of Tim Hudson, the baseball rumorverse can officially begin spewing forth any and all whispered third-hand nuggets about who might match up with the Braves as trading partners for one of their extra starting pitchers. The first one comes from ex-Nats GM Jim Bowden on his Twitter feed:

Hudson 3-yr deal done with Braves, Dodgers talking with Braves re: Vazquez and Mets re: Castillo according to sources

There are a lot of things wrong with that rumor. First of all, they're just talking and that kind of stuff happens all the time. Second, Javier Vazquez has a no trade clause to any Western Division team in either league, meaning he would have to approve any trade to the Dodgers. That makes this rumor less credible.

I think we'll hear more Vazquez rumors simply because he's the more attractive pitcher between him and Derek Lowe, but I don't think we'll see too much movement on the trade front until John Lackey has signed somewhere. He's the marquee name on the free agent starting pitching market, and whichever teams lose out on him may have more incentive to settle for Lowe -- and those teams would presumably be teams that could afford Lowe.

It's a wait and see approach... but rumors are fun, aren't they.

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Trade Lowe to the Yankees, Mets, or Angels for literally nothing except salary relief (well ok get back a token crappy prospect or two for appearance’s sake). Extend Vasquez with the money that would have gone to Lowe. Move on to adding a power bat and closer.

by redwards95 on Nov 13, 2009 9:00 AM EST reply actions

You guys have probably hashed this out before, but what possible trade targets would the Braves be looking at for Vazquez?

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by Sky Kalkman on Nov 13, 2009 9:03 AM EST reply actions

We’ve said we need a right-handed power bat, and I think in trading Vazquez we would want a good RH power bat in return. I keep wondering if the Cubs would consider Derek Lee.

by gondeee on Nov 13, 2009 9:09 AM EST up reply actions

i’d be down as long as he had a season like last year

"Im a fullonrapist, I do men, women, autistic kids, children, the elderly." -Charlie Kelly

by Hcgadawgs on Nov 13, 2009 9:29 AM EST up reply actions

I doubt he will

not that it was a complete fluke, but he is getting on in age. Also, remember that he has played much of his career in Wrigley…

by Andy Braves Fan on Nov 13, 2009 9:31 AM EST up reply actions

Cubbies need pitching?

I’m under the impression they need offense just like us so it doesn’t make much sense for them to trade one of their two best offensive players to bolster a rotation that doesn’t need much help.

by bbxxj on Nov 13, 2009 10:02 AM EST up reply actions

Rumors are fun

when they don’t suck. Good rumors that make sense are fun.

by Andy Braves Fan on Nov 13, 2009 9:30 AM EST reply actions

I suppose among Lowe, Kawakami and Vazquez any one of them could be moved, but I’d tend to think it will be Vazquez. Lowe’s contract will be very difficult to move. Kawakami is cheaper, but would also bring back less in a trade. I am guessing that the Braves management has already decided that they will not make an attempt to re-sign Vazquez due to budget constraints, so it makes the most sense to trade him since he’ll probably be the easiest to trade of the 3 pitchers I listed and bring the most back in return.

by Zontar on Nov 13, 2009 9:41 AM EST reply actions

I think the Lowe is still a pretty good trade option, as gondee pointed out in his season recap. Obviously Vazquez is the better option, both talent and salary wise, but Derek Lowe isn’t just some scrub

by eaheckman10 on Nov 13, 2009 9:43 AM EST reply actions

Since when does a team wanting to win NOW

trade their ACE away?

I’ll keep saying it but there are NO good matches for a veteran impact RH middle of the order bat we need out there that one year of Vazquez could fetch. I chalenge anyone to find one.

He could be traded for prospects sure, but how does that help us in 2010? It can only hurt.

by bbxxj on Nov 13, 2009 10:06 AM EST reply actions

trade Vazquez caucus

I am a big proponent of shopping Vazquez — selling high makes sense. However, I do think opposing GMs realize we have a surplus of starting pitching and will drive a very hard bargain. That leads me to believe we, as fans, will feel cheated by whatever trade results — whether its Lowe or Vazquez (I don’t think KK is going anywhere).

If stars align, the lack of FA starters could drive demand up for Lowe. But I think even in that scenerio we would still be selling low on him, which will result in a reduced return.

Any of course, if Lowe is traded, that opens a spot in the starting rotation in 2011.

by hollerin' brave on Nov 13, 2009 10:16 AM EST via mobile reply actions

My Guess is that the Braves won’t get much as far as a hitter for Lowe or Vazquez, that in return they prob know they’d be better off asking for relievers, thats in order to receive a better value for your trade. I think both Lowe and Vazquez are good enought o receive at least one top to mid level Reliever.

by AdamDM07 on Nov 13, 2009 10:33 AM EST reply actions

i dont see how getting a reliever is more valuable than the every day player we could get

"Im a fullonrapist, I do men, women, autistic kids, children, the elderly." -Charlie Kelly

by Hcgadawgs on Nov 13, 2009 12:47 PM EST up reply actions

Lowe being shopped after lackey signs is a good idea to raise that trade market up, afterwards the Braves can drive a hard bargain if enough teams are interested and it might be able to pull away a decent hitter instead of a mid to upper level reliever.

by AdamDM07 on Nov 13, 2009 10:36 AM EST reply actions

If it is the Dodgers, who would we want in return?...

and we could always pull the old bait and switch. Draw them in for Vasquez, then cut the price in half and “For that low, low deal, we’ll give you another solid workhorse in Derek Lowe”?

by Mr. Sanchez on Nov 13, 2009 10:37 AM EST reply actions

Would a

Vazquez and Schafer for Kemp and Sherril think work?

by apoxonbothyourhouses on Nov 13, 2009 10:43 AM EST up reply actions

no.

Vazquez would block it.

"Are you tryin to say Jesus Christ can't hit a curveball?"

by Scott Coleman on Nov 13, 2009 10:46 AM EST via mobile up reply actions

unless he was resigned for some masive $

by apoxonbothyourhouses on Nov 13, 2009 10:50 AM EST up reply actions

The same teams that could handle Lowe’s salary could pay off Javy with a shiny new 3 – 4 year deal.

by fandave on Nov 13, 2009 11:44 AM EST up reply actions

Just a question....

Would JJ and say K. Johnson work for Kemp?There are only a handful of players I would consider trading JJ for. If we did, the starting 5 still would not look bad next year, and no one is even considering Jo Jo Reyes as a number 5 starter. I would do the JJ deal and then look to trade Lowe or KK for some prosepcts and leave that #5 slot open for competition….

by mikie baseball on Nov 13, 2009 10:56 AM EST up reply actions

thats bc no one should be considering JoJo Reyes for the 5th spot

Heyward,Hanson,and Shaffer r ready now!! Why do you think they havent signed the "right handed bat"?

by fatazfoot on Jan 7, 2009 8:59 PM EST

by Swo12bv on Nov 13, 2009 12:33 PM EST up reply actions

I disagree...

with that. In fact, Jo Jo would be a 5 spot (maybe a 4) contender on most NL teams. The Mets, Pirates, Pads, Brewers, Nats, would welcome him into a 5 spot contention with open arms.

by mikie baseball on Nov 13, 2009 1:16 PM EST up reply actions

they all have horrible rotations...

anyone suggesting Jojo Reyes for the rotation has seen very, very few of his starts, if any, at the big league level.

by Mr. Sanchez on Nov 13, 2009 1:30 PM EST up reply actions

Pull the trigger

A Vaz, Schafer, and Lower Pitching Prospect for Kemp and Billingsly. Could get Billingsley on a buy low situation and undercontrol till 13’ Arb Elg. Though it is a pipe dream since Vaz will use his NTC to the AL/NL West teams

by Hanson-Ace on Nov 13, 2009 11:45 AM EST up reply actions

wow

no way the Dodgers would even consider that.

by Andy Braves Fan on Nov 13, 2009 11:50 AM EST up reply actions

and i thought i was drunk

by apoxonbothyourhouses on Nov 13, 2009 1:41 PM EST up reply actions

No way we need Billingsley

We are already deep in the SP spot. That would just put us back to where we are now.

by yaggiefresh on Nov 13, 2009 1:26 PM EST up reply actions

Kemp is untouchable

That’s a no-go. Even if he weren’t untouchable, he would require far more than a pitcher signed for one year and Schafer.

by cavebird on Nov 13, 2009 12:12 PM EST up reply actions

exactly

and again, Vaz has an NTC and won’t be going to the Dodgers.

by Andy Braves Fan on Nov 13, 2009 12:14 PM EST up reply actions

However

I will say, I would love to see Kemp on the Braves.

by Andy Braves Fan on Nov 13, 2009 12:14 PM EST up reply actions

The Dodgers don’t have anyone we’d want except Kemp or Ethier, and they’d have to be nuts to trade away either of those guys right now. I think someone’s blowing smoke here.

by FineHamAbounds on Nov 13, 2009 10:44 AM EST reply actions

Kemp could be pretty rockin'

in our lineup after chipper and before bmac…

by apoxonbothyourhouses on Nov 13, 2009 10:50 AM EST reply actions

Kemp isnt a 4 hitter

Heyward,Hanson,and Shaffer r ready now!! Why do you think they havent signed the "right handed bat"?

by fatazfoot on Jan 7, 2009 8:59 PM EST

by Swo12bv on Nov 13, 2009 12:34 PM EST up reply actions

i shoudl qualify

by batting him behind chipper you negate his speed (theres a slow(er) runner in front of him preventing him from stealing bases)

ideally he should bat 2nd in out lineup, but in most lineups he’s the perfect 3 hitter

Heyward,Hanson,and Shaffer r ready now!! Why do you think they havent signed the "right handed bat"?

by fatazfoot on Jan 7, 2009 8:59 PM EST

by Swo12bv on Nov 13, 2009 12:36 PM EST up reply actions

Actually

I would have to say that, if the Braves had Kemp (pipe dream), he would bat 3rd, move Chipper to the cleanup spot. Or, at least that would be the logical thing to do.

by Andy Braves Fan on Nov 13, 2009 12:40 PM EST up reply actions

i agree, but Chipper seems to want to bat 3rd (and Chipper does historically have the better OBP… but like i said i agree Kemp is a good 3 hitter

Heyward,Hanson,and Shaffer r ready now!! Why do you think they havent signed the "right handed bat"?

by fatazfoot on Jan 7, 2009 8:59 PM EST

by Swo12bv on Nov 13, 2009 7:58 PM EST up reply actions

For Vazquez to accept a trade to the West Coast there would have to be some incentives written into his deal. I would think that them paying for him to fly home some many times a year and when they went to the East Coast he would be allowed to see them during a series that he did not pitch in. Plus signing him to a very good contract.

by jack dein on Nov 13, 2009 12:40 PM EST reply actions

Don't see it

He already rejected a trade to LA a couple years ago as I recall, and I don’t see the Dodgers bending like that either.

by Andy Braves Fan on Nov 13, 2009 12:55 PM EST up reply actions

The Dodgers trading Kemp would be ludicrous.

Why would any team want to trade a 25 year-old player who is coming into his prime, who already hits .300, a very likely 30-30 guy for years to come, who won a Gold Glove and a Silver Slugger last year??

If the Braves had Matt Kemp right now, there’s no way in hell they’d get rid of him. And if they traded him for a one-year rental of Vazquez, each and every one of you would go ballistic. Even if Vazquez was deemed tradable or re-signable to the Dodgers, which seems rather unlikely considering his distaste for the West, the Dodgers would be fools to make that deal.

So, I’m calling it now: The potential of trading Vazquez for Kemp is no more. Done. Never speak of it again, or I will mock you accordingly. Whoever mentioned them throwing in Billingsly in that deal must be a village idiot.

-C

by cthabeerman on Nov 13, 2009 1:05 PM EST reply actions

pretty much.

by Andy Braves Fan on Nov 13, 2009 1:37 PM EST up reply actions

but

does anyone see A LOT of Andruw in Kemp’s game right now? While Kemp will hit for higher average, i can see the “Bison” blowing up some (and i don’t mean the good way, either) in the next couple of years.

by apoxonbothyourhouses on Nov 13, 2009 1:43 PM EST up reply actions

I think there are some similarities, when you look at the K/BB aspect.

Even if that’s the case, the blowup is still about 10 years off. Let’s not forget Andruw played a bunch of years before the blowup occurred. And, even with the defensive, strikeout and walk similarities (heck, even the SBs. Andruw used to steal), I think it’s much more likely for a guy that averages .260 to fall off like Andruw did than a guy that’s hitting .300 this early in his career.

-C

by cthabeerman on Nov 13, 2009 2:00 PM EST up reply actions

If the Braves had Matt Kemp right now, there’s no way in hell they’d get rid of him.

I bet if we had Kemp, there would be plenty of Braves fans trying to deal him. We sure have enough folks trying to find creative deals for JJ, who I would consider untouchable.

by hollerin' brave on Nov 14, 2009 8:40 AM EST up reply actions