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Yankee Trade: Melky to Atlanta, Vazquez Returns

Yankees fans will be hesitant to get excited about this trade as Javier Vazquez is returning the the team. Melky Cabrera has been traded to Atlanta.

The New York Yankees continue to make moves this offseason. The most recent one is sending outfielder Melky Cabrera to Atlanta for starting pitcher Javier Vazquez.

Vazquez pitched for the Yankees in 2004 before being traded to the Diamonbacks in the Randy Johnson deal. Last season for the Braves, Vazquez went 15-10 with a 2.87 ERA in 32 starts. He has thrown at least 198 innings in each of the past 10 seasons. Vazquez should provide the Yankees with more pitching depth and be a nice 3rd or 4th starter. He joins CC Sabathia, A.J. Burnett, Andy Pettitte, and either Joba Chamberlain or Phil Hughes in the rotation.

This move allows the Yankees to keep Chamberlain or Hughes in the bullpen where they have each been successful.

Melky Cabrera was a likeable guy. A talented player that excelled defensively. The Yankees however may feel he has already reached his potential. I think he will fit in nicely in Atlanta and get a chance to play every day.

This move may also re-open negotiations between the Yankees and Johnny Damon. Damon is still a free agent the the Yankees will need another outfielder after trading Cabrera. Talks between the Yankees and Damon had stalled after the Yankees balked at his contract demands. The Yankees went out and signed Nick Johnson to be their primary DH and many believed that was the end of Damon in the Bronx. Other possibilities are Mark De Rosa, although I dont think that would be a good move unless it was as a bench player. Jason Bay and Matt Holliday are the big names still out there, but I can’t see the Yankees making a run at them. Brett Gardner could start in the outfield but that will still leave the bench thin.

The Yankees are also sending minor league pitching prospects Michael Dunn and Arodys Vizcaino to Atlanta. In addition to Vazquez, the Yankees will also receive left handed reliever Boone Logan. Logan should compete for a spot in the Yankees bullpen next season.

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