With a 2010 salary of $11.5 million, Javier Vazquez qualified as a major disappointment this last season with the Yankees. However, the free agent didn't have to wait too long to find a new home, as the 34-year-old righty starting pitcher has signed a one-year contract with the Marlins.
Javier Vazquez Signs With Marlins On One-Year Contract
The contract will be worth $7 million, and comes with a full no-trade clause. It also has a built-in clause that the Marlins can’t offer Vazquez arbitration after the year, which will help to make him more desirable next winter. Vazquez is signing with Florida in large part so he can re-establish some of the value he lost with New York.
In 2009, Vazquez was among the league's best pitchers, posting a 2.87 ERA over 32 starts with the Braves. However, he was traded to the Yankees over the offseason and proceeded to post a 5.32 ERA - his highest since his rookie season. Things went so badly that Vazquez was left off the playoff roster, and there's concern that he may not be able to pick back up the velocity he lost, as his average fastball dropped by three miles per hour.
However, this looks like a good gamble by the Marlins, as Vazquez has been considerably more successful in the National League for his career. When he’s on, the veteran innings-eater throws a lot of strikes and fans more than eight batters per nine innings.
The contract should become official after Vazquez passes a physical. Read more on Vazquez and the Marlins over at Fish Stripes.
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