Vazquez traded to Atlanta

The Chicago White Sox traded starting pitcher Javier Vazquez to the Braves for Jo-Jo Reyes, Brent Lillibridge, Tyler Flowers, and several other prospects.

The Braves are looking to improve their rotation and Vazquez is a great place to start. Always underrated Vazquez consistently puts up one of the best K/BB rates in the league. 2008 was a down year for Javy, however his drop off was not nearly as sharp as it may seem. His K/9 was within the same range, dropping 2 points and his HR/9 also stayed about the same. The major concern was his increasing walk rate. Walk rate however is historically not the first skill to go though so I’m leaning towards some bad luck and an off year more than an actual drop off.

Jo Jo Reyes has showed no signs of having any major league value. Brent Lillibridge is a speedy minor leaguer but his inability to get on base will limit his major league impact. But Chicago isn’t getting a bad deal. Catching prospect Tyler Flowers dominated high A ball last year with a .920 OPS and 17 home runs, than made an even bigger splash at the Arizona Fall League leading the league in home runs with 12.

I think this trade makes sense for both sides. The Braves needed to improve their rotation this off season and this is a great start. The White Sox will lose one of their top pitchers, but Flowers is an amazing prospect who has demonstrated his ability at one of the highest levels of competition for a prospect, the AFL.

I think Vazquez gets a bump in fantasy value. Chicago isn’t a “hitters park,” but it’s less pitcher friendly than Atlanta. Flowers might not make an impact for your fantasy team yet, but in keeper or dynasty leagues he should be picked up when possible. His performance in the AFL makes it possible we could see an 09 impact.