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Revision as of 22:54, 4 December 2005
Javier Carlos Vázquez (born July 25, 1976 in Ponce, Puerto Rico) is a right-handed starting pitcher who has played for the Arizona Diamondbacks since 2005. Previously, he pitched for the New York Yankees (2004) and Montreal Expos (1998-2003).
In December 2003, the Yankees acquired Vázquez from the Expos in exchange for 1B Nick Johnson and OF Juan Rivera. He agreed to a four-year deal through the 2007 season. Vazquez and Curt Schilling were the two most sought after starting pitchers in that offseason. Since Vazquez was over ten years younger than Schilling and his career seemed to be ascending, Vazquez was the first priority to teams like the Yankees and the Red Sox. The Yankees acquired Vazquez, and the Red Sox acquired their second priority, Curt Schilling. After Andy Pettitte left the Yankees to sign with the Houston Astros, teammate and close friend Roger Clemens ended his retirement and followed suit. The Yankees brought Vazquez in to fill a hole in the starting rotation, and the Yankees acquired fiery Kevin Brown to replace Andy Pettitte. At the beginning of the 2004 season it looked, on paper, as if the Yankees had improved their starting rotation. However, Vazquez, who was an all-star that season, and Brown struggled mightily during the second half of the 2004 season, which lead many to question the Yankees starting pitching. In Game 7 of the 2004 ALCS, Kevin Brown allowed two runs in the first inning and loaded the bases in the second inning without retiring an out. Vazquez relieved Brown, and his first pitch was deposited into the right field seats for a grand slam off the bat of Johnny Damon, giving the Red Sox a 6-0 lead. After the Yankees lost the game and the series, everyone pointed to the Yankees starting pitching as their downfall. Because of this, the Yankees sent Vazquez, Brad Halsey, and Dioner Navarro, to the Arizona Diamondbacks after the 2004 season in exchange for Randy Johnson.
Following his first season with Arizona, Vázquez formally requested a trade from the team. If Arizona does not trade him, he will become a free agent.
From 1998-2004, Vázquez has compiled a career 78-78 record with 1226 strikeouts and a 4.26 ERA in 500 games. He was selected as an All-Star in 2004.
See also
External links
- ESPN - Profile and daily updates
- Baseball Reference - Career statistics and analysis
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