Quote:
|
Originally Posted by draven085
Your argument assumes that Vazquez is indeed a top of the rotation starter. I'm not sure that's the case. Maybe he was hurt last year but an ERA+ of 92 isn't exactly confidence inspiring. He had two really good years and two more decent years. Don't get me wrong, I like Vazquez and think he'll rebound somewhat but I'd say he's a longshot to repeat his 2003 success. That looks like a career year to me.
You also apparently think a lot more of the prospects in this deal than I do, and probably Shawn Green too. Green's pretty clearly in his decline phase and isn't worth the kind of cash he'll pull down next year. If the DBacks keep RJ and let him walk as a FA next winter they'll get picks that could have better value than the youngsters they're getting from NY.
It just seems to me that trading arguably the best pitcher in baseball for a clear downgrade after you've just signed two expensive free agents seems to be a clear case of "two steps forward, one step back." Then again I've never been real impressed with the Arizone front office so I'm not surprised.
|
Well, keeping Johnson makes very little sense for Arizona in 2005 since they are not a title contender yet. Johnson got daily knee injections in the final month of 04 and he is about at that stage in his career where the knee and back problems may catch up with him. Also remember that he had an ERA over 4 in only 100 innings in 2003, so keeping him at $16 mil and then letting him walk is a pretty massive gamble for Arizona.
Vazquez was 10-5 with a 3.5 ERA in mid June, coming off a 3.21 ERA performance in 2003. Most experts felt the fact that Vazquez pitched 683 innings (!) between 01 and 03 (228 per season) gave him a bit of a tired arm down the stretch. The fact that he only had 9 starts from August on gave him some time to rest that arm and I expect he will be a good player in 05. Green also hit .280 with 18 HRs and 47 RBI from July 15 on in a pretty tough hitters park. Once his shoulder cleared up he looked the part of the .285 40+ HR hitter he was in 02 and will probably be in BOB.
Again, I would be real interested in hearing what you think would be better value for Johnson than Vazquez, Green, Halsey and $8 million. Heck, I wouldn't have had that big of a problem with Vazquez and cash by itself given Vazquez's recent history and the fact he's only 28.