Yanks trade Melky to ATL for Vazquez

According to Buster Onley of ESPN, the Yankees have sent Melky Cabrera, Mike Dunn, and $500,000 in cold hard cash to the Atlanta Braves for Javier Vazquez and Boone Logan.

My first reaction: "No, not the Javier Vazquez from the ALCS-that-shall-not-be-mentioned."

My second reaction: This is actually a very good trade for the Yankees. After the Top 3 of CC, AJ, and Andy, there were question marks. Hughes and Joba were in line to fill the last spots in the rotation, and this sures up one of those spots. Now one of those two will head to the bullpen, and my money is on Joba (but more on that later, and likely all off-season). Vazquez comes in after posting a 15-10 record and a 2.87 ERA (keep in mind that was the NL, and the NL West, one of the weaker divisions in MLB). He also was second in the NL with 238 strikeouts.

The Yankees rotation now looks like this:

1. CC Sabathia
2. AJ Burnett
3. Andy Pettitte
4. Javier Vazquez
5. Hughes (or Chamberlain)

I believe that's the best rotation in the Majors, but I'm obviously biased.

The fact that they pick him for Melky (who despite being a fan favorite, was a career .269/.331 hitter with 36 career homeruns) and a minor league reliever, is a plus. Cashman is being very shrewd this off-season, making some bargain deals and short-term contracts. Vazquez is due $11.5 million this season, so after you take out the $3 million Melky will likely get in arbitration, that adds about $8.5 million to the Yankees payroll.

With Melky gone, and Gardner not exactly everyday left fielder material, the Yanks will likely go after someone to play left. Mark DeRosa is looking for about $6 million and can also play several positions, so he may be a target for the Yankees.

As John and I discussed, the worst part about this trade will be having to watch highlights of Game 7 of You-Know-Which-ALCS for the next 2 days, the first time Vazquez starts for the Yankees, the first time Vazquez starts against the Red Sox, and anytime Vazquez faces Johnny Damon.

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GAME 72: Yankees at Braves

YANKEES (39-32, tied 2nd place AL East)
Jeter SS
Damon LF
Teixeira 1B
Rodriguez 3B
Posada C
Swisher RF
Gardner CF
Ransom 2B
Pettitte LHP

Pitching: LHP Andy Pettitte (7-3, 4.26).

BRAVES (34-37, 4th place NL East)
McLouth CF
Prado 2B
Jones 3B
McCann C
Escobar SS
Anderson LF
Francoeur RF
Kotchman 1B
Lowe RHP

Pitching: RHP Derek Lowe (7-5, 4.09).

I'm posting this too late to put game notes, as the Yankees are already up 2-0 on a double play by Tex and a home run by A-Rod.

UPDATE 7:29: Despite what he might say publicly, I think Reggie Jackson is probably pissed off, because I sure would be. Guys like him and Hank Aaron are being passed by guys who used illegal substances to enhance their performance.

Image via Wikipedia

UPDATE 7:48: Hey! Who's this guy and what has he done with Alex Rodriguez?

UPDATE 8:09: Now Michael Kay is commenting on how the bat boy does his job. It's only the 3rd inning and he's reaching for stuff to talk about.

UPDATE 8:13: My man Jonny Flynn (from Syracuse) just got picked 6th by the Minnesota Timberwolves in the NBA Draft.

UPDATE 8:39: The Yankees are piling it on here as Ransom shoots one into the gap to make it 8-1. And as of 2 minutes ago, MKS is now on Facebook, become a fan today.

UPDATE 9:02: So much for this being a blowout. Pettitte out.

UPDATE 9:47: This is John taking over. Unlike Jim, I probably won't write anything about the NBA draft in my updates because I am sure nobody from Quinnipiac will be drafted. Anyway, even though the Yankees are winning this game is pathetic. Up 8-1 you'd expect Pettitte to go at least 7, eat up some innings, and semi-rest the bullpen. Instead Aceves pitched, who you might need tommorow if Sabathia's arm is bothering him, and now Coke, Bruney, and probably Rivera if it stays at 8-6.

UPDATE 9:58: 2-run single for A-Rod. I guess those 2 days of rest are finally showing. He's now 3-4 with 4 RBIs.

UPDATE 10:09: Web Gem nominee for Mark Teixeira right there. I wonder how many hits/errors Teixeira has saved compared to Giambi last year? It seems like every other day Tex impresses with a nice defensive play.

UPDATE 10:50: I have the game recap all finished but David Robertson refuses to let this game end. He gave up a monster shot to McCann now an Anderson single. If Mo has to come into this game that would be very disapointing.

UPDATE 10:54: This is ridiculous. Robertson can't get the last out and now it is a save situation. 1 out to go with Mo coming in. First and second 2 outs, this game better end soon.

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Yanks Offense Still on Vacation...Braves 3 Yanks 0

Yankees 0 4 1
Braves 4 7 1

WP: Hanson (3-0)
LP: Wang (0-6)...WTF!?!?!

PLAYER OF THE GAME: Tommy Hanson. He wasn't great, but he held the Yankees to just 4 hits in 5.1 IP. He is just lucky the Yankees couldn't hit water if they fell out of a boat knowing they had RISP.

PLAY OF THE GAME: Garrett Anderson's 2 out 2 RBI double. The hit extended the Braves lead to 3-0, which was plenty of insurance of the Braves.

TURNING POINT OF THE GAME: Derek Jeter's inning ending double play in the sixth. It was the last chance the Yankees had with runners on base to get a rally going. Once that happened the Yankees seemingly just quit.

GAME NOTES:

• Yankees have lost 5 of their last 6 and are 4-6 in interleague play, a part of the schedule they normally dominate.
• Phil Hughes is better than Chien-Ming Wang. The Yankees cannot seriously be sending an 0-6 pitcher with a 12 ERA out against the Mets Sunday night on national television. But they will anyway.
• A-Rod still sucks. And he let a groundball get by him that he could have had which led to 3 runs for the Braves and he didn't get a hit. He's now our own Big Papi.
• This offense needs a spark. Shelley Duncan anyone?? I mean freakin Angel Berroa and Brett Tomko are on the team. They are not helping the team in any way possible.
• Are we still ahead in the wild card? Holy #%$! we are! I guess that's what will be playing for...that is if they decide to start winning again.

This team is a disgrace... SEE YA!

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GAME 70: Yankees at Braves

YANKEES (38-31, Second Place AL East)
Jeter SS
Swisher RF
Teixeira 1B
Rodriguez 3B
Cano 2B
Posada C
Cabrera LF
Gardner CF
Wang RHP
Pitching: RHP Chien-Ming Wang (0-5, 12.30).

BRAVES (33-36, Fourth Place NL East)
McLouth CF
Escobar SS
Jones 3B
McCann C
Anderson LF
Kotchman 1B
Francoeur RF
Johnson 2B
Hanson RHP
Pitching: RHP Tommy Hanson (2-0, 4.08).

TIME/TV: 7 p.m., MY9.

Is He Good Again, Yet? Chien-Ming Wang will be making his fourth start since coming off the DL. He is winless this season, and has a career high 5 losses already this season. He keeps "improving" but he has yet reached that level where he once was.
Don't Let Him On The Bases Either: It's been over a year since Wang last won a game, that is because of the LisFranc sprain of his foot sidelined him while running the bases in Houston last June. Wang will be batting in an NL park for the first time since that injury.
Powerless: The Yankees have hit one home run in their last four games. They have grounded into eight double plays during this time as well.
If This Guy Even Warms Up in the Pen, I am Turning the Game Off: Brett Tomko's line for his last three appearances: 3.2 IP, 6 hits 7 earned runs, 2 walks, 4 strikeouts and has given up three home runs. What purpose does he, and Angel Berroa even serve on this team?

UPDATE: For anyone interested in Girardi's protest of Sunday's game, the MLB has decided to deny it. Therefore the game is final and will not be replayed from the eigth inning.

UPDATE 7:20: Three groundball outs and a 1-2-3 inning for Wang. What does he think this is, 2007? Great play by Cano to start the inning too. I thought McLouth was safe for sure.

UPDATE 7:37: Maybe if Wang was pitching well I would have to hold my breath with him running down the line. Anyway, not much the Yankees could do there with the bases loaded and Wang up. It's an automatic out, you have to pray for a walk.

UPDATE 7:48: Disaster averted here in the second inning. Wang got into some trouble then a high chopper toward first brought him and Teixeira in to catch it and neither one was called off. They almost collide but Wang caught it and threw it to first to Cano who just got there in time to cover the bag.

UPDATE 7:53: Leadoff double for Jeter. Michael Kay has a John Sterling moment calling he is going for three, then telling us no he held up.

UPDATE 8:13: 3-0 Braves as Wang is getting hit hard now. Garrett Anderson crushed a double into the right-center gap to drive in 2 runs.

UPDATE 8:27: Does anyone think the Yankees get bonuses if they leave runners in scoring position? Because this is ridiculous. Bases loaded and they can't get the hit.

UPDATE 8:47: "This ballpark is more for the pitchers."-Ken Singleton...I guess Chien Ming Wang is the exception.

UPDATE 8:53: Hughes is up in the bullpen with Wang up third this inning. I guess the Yankees think Sabathia will make his next start. Meanwhile Wang has his helmet on and a bat in his hands in the dugout.

UPDATE 9:01: Tommy Hanson is being taken out of the game after the pinch-hit walk by Matsui. Hanson is one of the up and coming arms in the majors and pitched really well today. This was not some nobody who shut out the Yankees. But it's still the Yankees and they had plenty of chances. They should have been able to put something together. Meanwhile Jeter is up and with the amount of groundballs and double plays he's had lately, don't let it come as a shock if that is what happens here.

UPDATE 9:05: I was really hoping I would be wrong folks. I really was. I thought if I said he would do it, it wouldn't happen. But it did. Derek Jeter: Captain of the NY Yankees and Double Plays.

UPDATE 9:07: Phil Hughes is in. He has really been coming around of late. I would love to see him in the rotation, but Wang probably lives another day, just had one bad inning. On another note, if the Yankees do in fact lose this game, enough is enough. Girardi needs to have a closed-door meeting with this team and address what is going on. They are playing awful baseball, offensively and defensively. In fact, the pitching has been much better. It's the other 8 players out there not performing.

UPDATE 9:36: I am ready to throw my laptop out the window.

UPDATE 9:43: Brian McCann just hit a BOMB. You'd think Brett Tomko was pitching with how hard he hit that one. Well if there was any chance the Yankees would have winning this game it all just went out the window. 4-0 Braves.

UPDATE 9:57: This team is hopeless. If anyone knows how to hit a baseball get down to Atlanta NOW.

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