Javier Vazquez

As Mark Teixeira grabbed the last out of the 2009 regular season, I screamed and applauded vigorously. As a lifelong Yankee fan, I have been spoiled by five championships and seven pennants in my lifetime. I got up early the next morning to buy my overpriced championship merchendise and I thought to myself "now what?" That was an easy question: "Gear up for a repeat!"

New York Yankees General Manager Brian Cashman had said going into the offseason that one of his priorities was to upgrade the starting pitching.

But he would not get seriously involved in the Doc Halladay sweepstakes because the stakes were probably too high and Toronto was never likely to trade Doc within the American League East.

Cashman also apparently made no serious efforts to go after free agent John Lackey who signed with arch rival, Boston.

Two big trades went down a day ago and are on the verge of being official. The big deal involves the Yankees acquiring Javier Vazquez from the Braves for Melky Cabrera and two prospects. Before that deal went down, the Blue Jays and Mariners agreed to trade power throwing right-handers Brandon League and Brandon Morrow. What is the fantasy fallout of these two deals?

Vazquez to the Yankees

Who says you can’t go home again?

The Yankees brought back a player from their past yesterday, acquiring Javier Vazquez and Boone Logan in exchange for Melky Cabrera, Mike Dunn, and Arodys Vizcaino (as well as some cash).

While there’s some potential in the package Atlanta received, this deal clearly appears to be a move to improve the team’s financial flexibility, allowing them the flexibility to attempt to add a bat (which, rumor has it, will be Troy Glaus).

The offseason is always filled with numerous trades and free agent signings.

But with each deal that's made, players' fantasy stocks increase, some decrease, and others stay the same with their new team.

This offseason was no different.

In fact, more major moves happened this year than in recent years.

We all know about Seattle's signing of Chone Figgins. The three-team deal involving Curtis Granderson and of course the four-team megadeal that had Roy Halladay and Cliff Lee changing addresses.

Today the Yankee$ reacquired starting pitcher Javier Vazquez (pictured) for a prospect and namely spot starter Melky Cabrera who went to the Braves. Due to this, this day, December 22, 2009 may live in infamy since I think it has the potential to be a stupid, hasty move.

Consider that last year at this time, Traitor Tex, formerly of the Los Angeles Angels and Braves, signed his massive mercenary contract with the Bronx Billionaires-i.e. the Yankee$.

What a difference a year makes.

Come on now, this is getting a little ridiculous.

A year after acquiring the high-priced trio of C.C. Sabathia, Mark Teixeira, and A.J. Burnett, and a couple of weeks after trading for spark plug Curtis Granderson, the New York Yankees have added Javier Vazquez -- a quality right-handed starter -- to their already loaded roster.

And all they had to give up was Melky Cabrera and a couple of prospects?

Jeez. Why do I have to be a Mets fan?

The Atlanta Braves and starting pitcher Tim Hudson agreed to a three-year, $28 million contract extension on Thursday.

Hudson originally joined the Braves in a trade in December of 2005, and signed a four-year, $47 million extension that would take him from 2006 through this past season.

Dan Uggla, the big bat in the Marlins lineup, is bound to be dealt in the offseason due to his raise in salary via arbitration.  Dan Uggla is very valuable to a team as he can hit homers and drive in runs; for this reason, the Braves are in pursuit for his bat.

The Braves need a big bat in their lineup since, this year, between their three and four hitters Chipper Jones and Brian McCann, they only hit 39 HR. 

I'm sure many of you were captivated by the 2008 presidential election. I sure was. In December of '07 there were many contenders for the highest seat in the free world. As time went along, however, the numbers continually dwindled until there were only a few legitimate candidates.

Usually in a presidential election cycle, Super Tuesday, in February, is the culmination of the process. On Super Tuesday in 2008, Republican primary contender Ron Paul thought he had a real chance against the likes of John McCain, Mike Huckabee, and Mitt Romney.