Yanks one-up Sox

vtbub · 12-04-2003, 11:25 AM

vtbub · 12-04-2003, 11:26 AM

AP: Yankees Acquire Vazquez From Expos
14 minutes ago

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By RONALD BLUM, AP Sports Writer

NEW YORK - The New York Yankees (news) agreed Thursday to acquire pitcher Javier Vazquez from the Montreal Expos (news), The Associated Press learned.

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Slideshow: MLB: Yankees

In exchange for the 27-year-old right-hander, New York will send Montreal first baseman Nick Johnson, outfielder Juan Rivera and another player, a baseball official with knowledge of the trade said on condition of anonymity.

The deal is contingent on the players passing physicals.

Montreal scheduled a news conference Thursday afternoon for "a major baseball announcement."

Vazquez fills one of the holes in the Yankees' starting rotation. He went 13-12 with a 3.24 ERA for the Expos last season, and is three years younger than Bartolo Colon, who is a free agent and would be an alternative.

New York's rotation, the backbone of its run to four World Series (news - web sites) titles and six AL pennants since 1995, is uncertain. Roger Clemens retired, and Andy Pettitte and David Wells filed for free agency. In addition, Wells had back surgery Tuesday.

The Yankees' rotation includes Mike Mussina, Jose Contreras, Jeff Weaver and Jon Lieber, who hasn't pitched in the major leagues since reconstructive elbow surgery in August 2002 but hopes to be ready for the start of the season.

Johnson, 25, played first base for much of last season because of Jason Giambi's knee injury after starting the season as the regular designated hitter. While he's regarded as a top hitter — he batted .284 with 14 homers, 47 RBIs and a .422 on-base percentage — he has been injury prone throughout his career.

Rivera, 25, hit .266 with seven homers and 26 RBIs in 173 at-bats and has a strong throwing arm.

Montreal, which is owned by the other 29 teams, is faced with payroll limits. Vazquez, eligible for salary arbitration, probably will get a raise from the $4,775,000 he made last season after losing his hearing. He is eligible for free agency after next season.

Johnson is eligible for salary arbitration for the first time this winter; Rivera isn't yet eligible.

New York will have to find another backup first baseman to spell Giambi, who had knee surgery after the season.

Meanwhile, the Yankees are pushing ahead on several fronts.

Gary Sheffield, who met Monday and Tuesday with Yankees owner George Steinbrenner at the team's spring training complex in Tampa, Fla., worked out Wednesday at the Yankees' minor league complex in Florida.

Sheffield, a free agent who appears likely to sign with the Yankees, may have a physical Thursday, a sign that a deal is approaching.

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WSUCougar · 12-04-2003, 11:28 AM

You been scooped!

Link

Bee · 12-04-2003, 11:29 AM

I'm sure the misleading title of the other thread got him.

vtbub · 12-04-2003, 11:33 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by WSUCougar
You been scooped!

Link

doh! by 23 minutes.

12-04-2003, 11:26 AM	#2
vtbub College Starter Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: Burlington, VT USA	AP: Yankees Acquire Vazquez From Expos 14 minutes ago Add Sports - AP to My Yahoo! By RONALD BLUM, AP Sports Writer NEW YORK - The New York Yankees (news) agreed Thursday to acquire pitcher Javier Vazquez from the Montreal Expos (news), The Associated Press learned. AP Photo AP Photo Slideshow: MLB: Yankees In exchange for the 27-year-old right-hander, New York will send Montreal first baseman Nick Johnson, outfielder Juan Rivera and another player, a baseball official with knowledge of the trade said on condition of anonymity. The deal is contingent on the players passing physicals. Montreal scheduled a news conference Thursday afternoon for "a major baseball announcement." Vazquez fills one of the holes in the Yankees' starting rotation. He went 13-12 with a 3.24 ERA for the Expos last season, and is three years younger than Bartolo Colon, who is a free agent and would be an alternative. New York's rotation, the backbone of its run to four World Series (news - web sites) titles and six AL pennants since 1995, is uncertain. Roger Clemens retired, and Andy Pettitte and David Wells filed for free agency. In addition, Wells had back surgery Tuesday. The Yankees' rotation includes Mike Mussina, Jose Contreras, Jeff Weaver and Jon Lieber, who hasn't pitched in the major leagues since reconstructive elbow surgery in August 2002 but hopes to be ready for the start of the season. Johnson, 25, played first base for much of last season because of Jason Giambi's knee injury after starting the season as the regular designated hitter. While he's regarded as a top hitter — he batted .284 with 14 homers, 47 RBIs and a .422 on-base percentage — he has been injury prone throughout his career. Rivera, 25, hit .266 with seven homers and 26 RBIs in 173 at-bats and has a strong throwing arm. Montreal, which is owned by the other 29 teams, is faced with payroll limits. Vazquez, eligible for salary arbitration, probably will get a raise from the $4,775,000 he made last season after losing his hearing. He is eligible for free agency after next season. Johnson is eligible for salary arbitration for the first time this winter; Rivera isn't yet eligible. New York will have to find another backup first baseman to spell Giambi, who had knee surgery after the season. Meanwhile, the Yankees are pushing ahead on several fronts. Gary Sheffield, who met Monday and Tuesday with Yankees owner George Steinbrenner at the team's spring training complex in Tampa, Fla., worked out Wednesday at the Yankees' minor league complex in Florida. Sheffield, a free agent who appears likely to sign with the Yankees, may have a physical Thursday, a sign that a deal is approaching. Email Story Post/Read Msgs Print Story Ratings: Would you recommend this story? Not at all 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5 Highly __________________

12-04-2003, 11:28 AM	#3
WSUCougar Rider Of Rohan Join Date: Jul 2001 Location: Port Angeles, WA or Helm's Deep	You been scooped! Link __________________ It's not the years...it's the mileage.

12-04-2003, 11:29 AM	#4
Bee Pro Starter Join Date: Oct 2000 Location: Fairfax, VA	I'm sure the misleading title of the other thread got him.

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