WHITE SOX SWIPE VAZQUEZ
The Chicago White Sox acquired pitcher Javier Vazquez and cash from the Arizona Diamondbacks for pitchers Orlando Hernandez and Luis Vizcaino, and outfielder Chris Young.
What does it give the Chicago White Sox
The defending champs have bolstered their rotation with a talented young righty who hasn't been himself over the past couple of years with the Yankees and D'backs after signing a big, four-year, $45-million contract with the Yanks. The pressure of being a front-line starter with a huge contract may have gotten to him in those two stops, but in Chicago, where they already have a deep starting staff, there will be a lot less pressure on his shoulders, which could bring about a resurgence.
What does it give the Arizona Diamondbacks
Vazquez decided he wanted out of Arizona in order to be closer to his Puerto Rico home. This doesn't exactly help him there, but new Arizona GM Josh Byrnes was able to find a pretty good deal for a guy who so publicly wanted out. Hernandez is always an injury concern, as he was last year in Chicago, but the 36-year-old is also a proven winner when healthy. El Duque has a sterling postseason record accumulated with the Yankees and Chi-Sox, which should rub off nicely on the young Arizona club as he enters the No. 2 or 3 spot in the rotation. The second player, Vizcaino, is a solid veteran right-handed reliever who will help make up for the loss of a pair of relievers the D'backs recently traded to Atlanta. And just 22, Young is a multitalented outfielder, boasting tons of power and blazing speed. With only one more year guaranteed on Luis Gonzalez's contract, Young could challenge for a full-time job in the Arizona outfield in 2007.
Fantasy impact
