Results tagged ‘ Javier Vazquez ’

Marlins reportedly seek starting pitching

Marlins owner Jeffrey Loria vowed yesterday that, despite acquiring four new relievers in less than a week, he was still not done upgrading the bullpen. But according to ESPN.com, it’s starting pitching the Marlins seek now.

The Web site stated that the club is targeting a starter with the money saved from not signing Dan Uggla to a long-term contract, and listed Javier Vazquez and Carl Pavano as the two pitchers atop their wish list. ESPN.com wrote that even after signing John Buck to a three-year, $18 million deal, the Marlins have between $10 million and $11 million to spend. But FOXSports.com heard recently that the Marlins have only between $3 million and $4 million left.

With Pavano’s estimated price tag, Vazquez seems like the likelier choice. He’s coming off a real down year with the Yankees — meaning he won’t get anything close to the $11.5 million he made in 2010 — and his agent, Sam Levinson, is the same person who represents Buck.

The Marlins have expressed interest in Pavano, but he reportedly seeks a contract similar to the one Ted Lilly got with the Dodgers (three years, $33 million). That’s probably too much for the Marlins.

Loria, for what it’s worth, didn’t sound like a man interested in acquiring starting pitching help when asked about it Wednesday …

“I’m very happy with the starting pitching,” he said. “Like all ballclubs, if we stay healthy, we’re as competitive as anybody.”

– Alden Gonzalez  

Rockies, De La Rosa in holding pattern

The general managers meetings in Florida offer a good time for teams to survey the free-agent landscape. And according to the Denver Post, things are about as expected with left-hander Jorge De La Rosa, a player the Rockies want to keep. Interest is strong: former Rockies manager Clint Hurdle has taken over the Pirates and identified De La Rosa as his top target, according to the newspaper, and the Nationals, as reported by MLB.com’s Bill Ladson last week, and Orioles are already in the mix. The Yankees and Rangers could jump in, depending on what happens with lefty Cliff Lee. The paper says the key, as has been the case all along, is if the offers are at three years, the Rockies will compete — and they offer an environment in which De La Rosa has been successful. If it goes beyond three years, De La Rosa is likely gone, and the Rockies could look for a free agent such as Carl Pavano or Javier Vazquez, or seek a trade.

The paper also reported that the Rockies are unlikely to re-sign right-handed hitting utility man Melvin Mora, who wants a contract quicker than the Rockies want to move on him. With the Athletics not looking to trade Conor Jackson, the Rockies could take a look at the Nationals’ Josh Willingham or the Angels’ Mike Napoli for right-handed hitting help.

– Thomas Harding

Roundup: Rangers (not Yankees) end up with Lee

After a potential deal sending Cliff Lee to the Yankees stalled in the final stages, the Rangers ended up acquiring Lee from the Mariners, instead. First baseman Justin Smoak, pitcher Blake Beavan and two other players will be going to Seattle, according to MLB.com’s T.R. Sullivan. 

The Yankees went from dark horse to front-runner in the Lee sweepstakes on Thursday night, when The New York Post reported they were “on the brink” of acquiring the ace left-hander from the Mariners. Come Friday morning, ESPN.com wrote that a deal to bring Lee to New York and put him in a starting rotation that was already stellar was “just about done.” 
By mid-afternoon, however, the seemingly imminent deal was put off, according to the Post. The Yankees were ready to send top catching prospect Jesus Monetero, second baseman David Adams and right-hander Zach McAllister, according to reports. But Adams had been out with a high ankle sprain, and the Mariners were apprehensive about acquiring him. 
Here are more rumors from around the league … 
* Jayson Werth is being shopped by the Phillies, but a rumor that has Philadelphia sending Werth — a free agent after this season — to the Yankees for Javier Vazquez — also a free agent after this season — will not happen, MLB.com’s Todd Zolecki writes. The Phils, as Zolecki noted, want players they can control past this season, and besides, the Yankees may be more reluctant to keep Vazquez now that it seems they won’t get Lee. As for Werth, the Red Sox and Rays have also shown interest, according to The New York Post. Philadelphia likely seeks a proven starter in return. 
* The Mets will “turn strongly” towards Cubs left-hander Ted Lilly as a possible addition to their starting rotation, Joel Sherman of The New York Post — who reported the Lee-to-Yankees story — wrote via Twitter. 
* The way things shake out in the National League East could decide whether they’re buyers or sellers at the Trade Deadline. If they are buyers, though, FOXSports.com says they could look to help out the back end of their bullpen by acquiring Blue Jays lefty reliever Scott Downs. 
* The Rays released veteran Hank Blalock after he was designated for assignment and cleared waivers. 
* The Yankees signed 30-year-old, left-handed-hitting corner infielder Chad Tracy to a Minor League contract, according to The Boston Globe. 
* The Cubs are picking up efforts to shed “cumbersome salaries,” according to The Chicago Tribune. The newspaper added that the club will address the media soon to speak about the club’s direction, especially if they keep falling in the NL Central. 
– Alden Gonzalez

Vazquez could return to the NL East

All is quiet on the Braves trade front.  But one of their former pitchers could change the landscape of the National League East if the Yankees acquire Cliff Lee. 

If they add Lee to their rotation, the Yankees are expected to attempt to trade Javier Vazquez.  This morning a National League scout said the buzz he’s hearing among his peers is that Vazquez could be dealt to the Phillies in exchange for Jayson Werth. 

Vazquez enjoyed one of the finest seasons of his career in Atlanta last year and continued his success against National League opponents by going 2-1 with a 2.88 ERA in four Interleague starts for the Yankees this year. 

But with Chase Utley sidelined until at least the latter portion of August, the Phillies may not feel comfortable moving one of their top offensive threats simply to attempt to improve their shaky rotation. 

The Braves don’t appear to have much interest in Corey Hart and they definitely won’t be dealing Mike Minor or any of their top young pitching prospects unless they gain a much more attractive return than Hart, who would only be under team control through the end of the 2011 season.

Once the Braves get a better feel about how productive Jason Heyward and Nate McLouth could be when they return from the disabled list, they’ll determine whether they want to add a starter or a bench player to their offensive mix before the July 31 trade deadline.

– Mark Bowman

| back to blog home |
Theme: MLB “pro” | Get a free blog at WordPress.com
Follow

Get every new post delivered to your Inbox.

Join 410 other followers