One and done is how the story will read on Javier Vazquez’s career with the Atlanta Braves. According to the New York Daily News and ESPN, the Atlanta Braves traded the powerhouse righty to the Yankees along with reliever Boone Logan in exchange for outfielder Melky Cabrera, Mike Dunn and another minor leaguer to be named later. Vazquez leaves the Braves after just one year and with one year left on his contract. In his year with the Braves, Vazquez was 15-10 with a 2.87 ERA with three complete games and over 200 innings pitched. He struck out 238 hitters, his fifth season with 200+ strikeouts. He returns to the Yankees where he went 14-10 in 2004, his only season in the Bronx.
The Braves meanwhile get a leftfielder that the team was seeking in Cabrera. The twenty-five year old hit .391 in the 2009 ALCS against the Angels and played in four games in the World Series against Philadelphia. Cabrera is a career .269 hitter though last season he hit .274 with 13 home runs and 28 doubles.
While Carbrera isn’t the No.4 hole hitter that the Braves lack, he possesses some speed as he had 10 stolen bases last season, playing from the bottom of the lineup on most nights. Manager Bobby Cox could probably slide Cabrera into the No.7 spot. A potential lineup would be McLouth, Prado, Jones, McCann, Escobar, Diaz, Cabrera, Infante though that could chance if/when the team signs a first baseman and/or gives the youngster Jason Heyward a shot in right.
The good news also is that the rotation is finally set though ace Derek Lowe must get over the hurt feelings he suffered when his name was floated in trade rumors. Lowe was signed to be the team’s ace and he’ll need a bounce back season to help offset the loss of Vazquez.
PS-Editor's note. Here is what Greg Fertel of The Bleacher Report says of the trade in terms of the players the Braves are getting.
In return, the Yankees gave up a few useful pieces and an unknown prospect. Melky Cabrera has become a fan favorite over his time in pinstripes, but was always mentioned on the trading block and I believe that Brian Cashman dealt him at the right time.
As Melky gets further along in arbitration, his value continues to decrease as his salary increases. Cabrera is the type of player who is great to have around when he's very cheap, but is perfect trade fodder when he begins to make real money.
Michael Dunn is a converted outfielder who throws tremendously hard with his left hand, but is extremely lacking in control. He has a ton of upside as a reliever if he can cut his walks down, but there is no guarantee that he can do that. If he continues to walk nearly a batter every inning, he won't have a place in the majors.
It appears that the third player given up will be a highly heralded pitching prospect, Arodys Vizcaino. This is probably the hardest part of the deal to swallow. He has shown tremendous polish and stuff, giving him a very high ceiling. Baseball America recently ranked him the Yankees' third best prospect and best pitching prospect overall.
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