According to Frank Russo of NY Baseball Digest , the Yankees have been getting phone calls from a few National League teams including the Atlanta Braves on the availability of struggling pitcher Javier Vazquez .
On Monday afternoon I spoke with my main Yankees source down in Tampa, who informed me that the team has already received inquiries from several NL teams in regards to the availability of Javy Vazquez. Although we were not giving the names of any specific teams, rumor has it that Atlanta has shown some interest in reacquiring Vazquez, who has struggled mightily upon his return to New York. Vazquez’s rough start has fueled speculation that Brian Cashman might eventually start shopping his struggling right hander.
So far it seems like the Yankees aren’t shopping him and that these are just calls on teams trying to gauge the Bombers’ interest in making a deal. Brian Cashman has denied so far this season that he is shopping Vazquez, but at some point if he doesn’t turn his season around the Yankees may get the temptation to make a deal.
What is likely happening right now is that teams are probably seeing if they can buy low on Vazquez and the Yankees are holding out until they get some realistic offers or it gets to the point where they really can’t trust him. That time may come soon, but it might also pass the Yankees by altogether.
My guess is that the Yankees will probably give him until the end of this month to start getting his act together before they start thinking about making a deal. Hopefully though they aren’t holding on to him just to prove a point. If they are offered a deal that makes sense it would be smart to pull the trigger even if they think he can turn it around.
Vazquez is scheduled to start tonight against the Detroit Tigers. It would be his first start since May 1 as the Yankees skipped his turn in the rotation last time it came up because of his struggles and the fact that they were playing the Boston Red Sox. Overall this season Vazquez is 1-3 with a 9.78 ERA in five starts. He’s also walked 15 and struckout 20 in 23 innings.
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