Trade: Vazquez for Nick Johnson, Juan Rivera, & Randy Choate

[satchel]

I think Vasquez is a great pickup for the Yankees and I don't even think they overpaid for him. However, as a Yankees fan I am always sad to see two pretty good homegrown players go. Especially Johnson; I liked his defense at first and I don't think that ailing knee of Giambi's is good news if he has to play the field every day.

Just some cool tidbits on Vazquez......
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Omar Minaya figured he had to get some offense, and Nick Johnson was the best hitter he could get for Javier Vazquez. Most other teams consider Juan Rivera a 4-A player, not quite Shane Spencer, but Minaya went on the recommendations of Phil Regan, who has watched Rivera in Venezuela and is convinced he is an everyday big leaguer.

The Yankees, while waiting to see whether they get Andy Pettitte, got an extraordinary starter in Vazquez, as well as one of the finest human beings in the game.

Vazquez is the only pitcher in the game to pitch 200 innings, strike out at least 170 batters and have an ERA under 4.00 each of the last three seasons. He has been the victim of terrible support: Over the last four seasons, he has 83 quality starts and 50 wins, and those 33 quality starts that did not result in a win are the most of any pitcher in either league.

The 2003 breakdown, Pettitte vs. Vazquez:

Pettitte: 21-8, 4.02 ERA, 208.1 IP, .272 opponents BA, 7 run support.

Vazquez: 13-12, 3.24 ERA, 230.2 IP, .229 opponents BA, 4 run support

http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/gammons/story?id=1679689
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Yeah, Gammons is basically a skewed homer most of the time, but this is some good stuff.

This guy is the real deal and will be a BIG winner with the Yankees.

[RedSeat]

I don't speak French, but I think this says that Johnson failed his physical.

http://www.cyberpresse.ca/sports/art...3,529523.shtml

La Presse a appris aujourd'hui que le joueur de premier but Nick Johnson, nouvellement acquis par les Expos dans la transaction impliquant le lanceur Javier Vazquez, a échoué un test médical.

What happens now?

[nyy26wc]

Originally Posted by RedSeat

I don't speak French, but I think this says that Johnson failed his physical.

We don't have to translate from French to English. According to the Yankees press release, he passed the physical--

The New York Yankees today announced that they have finalized their December 4 trade with the Montreal Expos to acquire right-handed pitcher Javier Vazquez for first baseman Nick Johnson, outfielder Juan Rivera and left-handed pitcher Randy Choate after the respective players passed a physical examination.

[gyb13]

well, echouer does mean to fail an exam...

[RedSeat]

Originally Posted by gyb13

well, echouer does mean to fail an exam...

I did have it all translated. The article said he failed, which would have voided the deal. The article has now been changed to indicate that he passed, completing the deal. Those sneaky French Canadiens...