It’s not a secret, actually. Just under-reported, perhaps.
The Secret Of Javier Vazquez’s Success
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But let’s back up some.
In 2009, Javier Vazquez pitched brilliantly for the Atlanta Braves. He finished fourth in the Cy Young balloting after the season, and might have deserved better.
After that season, Vazquez (and Boone Logan Boone) were traded to the Yankees in what might be described as a salary dump; the biggest prize the Braves received in the deal was Melky Cabrera ... along with $11 million in salary relief.
Vazquez went from being one of the National League’s best pitchers to one of the American League’s worst.
Nevertheless, after last season the generally cash-starved Florida Marlins took a flyer on Vazquez, offering the free agent a one-year contract for $7 million. Was that the best offer Vazquez got? Perhaps. But perhaps he also wanted to play as close as possible to his family in Puerto Rico.
Vazquez’s troubles as a Yankee didn’t continue with the Marlins; they got a lot worse.
Through eight starts this season, Vazquez’s ERA was 7.55; just as startling, he’d issued 24 walks with only 20 strikeouts. He was probably one more lousy start away from losing his spot in the rotation. At best.
That eighth start came on the 16th of May. To that point, Vazquez had averaged 88 miles an hour on his four-seam fastball. Which was just a tick worse than the 89 he’d averaged as a Yankee.
Javier Vazquez is a smart pitcher who, as Marlins broadcaster Rich Waltz told me, “keeps himself in impeccable shape.” But Vazquez simply couldn’t survive while throwing 88 miles an hour, 90 at his fastest. Without his fastball, his other pitches just didn’t play as well, plus he had generally lost confidence in his stuff.
Sometime shortly after that eighth start, Vazquez had a good talk with Marlins pitching coach Randy St. Claire. Now, it’s not clear why this talk didn’t happen in February or March rather than May, but it did finally happen. With the help of a bullpen session, St. Claire pointed out that Vazquez was too upper-body dominant with his delivery, not driving with his legs like he used to.
And that, apparently, was that.
In the May 16 start, Vazquez’s fastball had averaged that same pedestrian 88, with a high of 91.
In his next turn, after the chat with St. Claire, Vazquez's fastball averaged nearly 91, with a high of nearly 93. Also in that game, Vazquez shut out the Nationals for seven innings, giving up only three hits and two walks, with seven strikeouts.
Wednesday night, Vazquez pitched seven shutout innings again, this time against the Braves. He gave up two hits and one walk, with six strikeouts.
From the 21st of May through the 21st of September, Vazquez started 23 games and averaged roughly 91 miles an hour with his four-seamer. His numbers in those games:
Innings: 144
SO/BB: 5.1
ERA: 2.74
If you believe those numbers represent Vazquez’s true talents, then you almost have to believe that he’s one of the better pitchers in the National League. Again.
There is one slight problem with this narrative: according to Vazquez, he didn’t change his delivery until early June. Not to worry, though: Another account has the metamorphosis beginning in late May! But it really doesn’t matter when you start the clock; Vazquez has been pitching exceptionally well for roughly four months.
Vazquez has actually talked about retiring after this season. If he does, we'll have plenty of time to appreciate him. But today it's worth mentioning that he is a consummate professional who has never spent a single day on the Disabled List. Only 35, Vazquez ranks third among active pitchers -- behind only Livan Hernandez and Tim Wakefield -- in games started.
I hope he keeps pitching next season. I would like to see what he can do. If he remembers to use his legs, anyway.
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