They've done it before. The White Sox and Rangers made a deal last year that saw pitchers Nick Massett and John Danks come to Chicago for Brandon McCarthy.
Could they do it again?
Very simple: the Chicago White Sox trade starter Javier Vazquez and centerfielder Brian Anderson to the Texas Rangers for outfielder Brandon Boggs, third baseman Hank Blalock, and a young catcher, probably Max Ramirez.
Why do the Rangers make this trade? Vazquez is a good starting pitcher with good stuff. He just doesn't know what to do if the game means something. In the current condition of the Rangers, he wouldn't have to worry about games meaning much. He's a consistent workhorse who eats innings and strikes people out.
If and when Kevin Millwood and Vicente Padilla take their annual trips to the injured list, Vazquez will still be out there chucking.
- B/R Ticket Guide
Anderson is the odd man out in Chicago. If the Sox can't find a suitor for Jermaine Dye, they'll have Jerry Owens, Carlos Quentin, and Dye in the outfield with Anderson. Manager Ozzie Guillen has never been fond of playing Anderson, and yet he shows signs of having some abilities when given a chance.
He would be a nice corner outfielder that would play good defense next to Josh Hamilton.
Why do the Sox make this deal? To get rid of Vazquez, first of all. Guillen has openly questioned Vazquez' competitiveness and didn't want him on the roster last fall. Same with Anderson.
In return, the Sox would be able to acquire a backup/replacement in training for AJ Pierzynski in Ramirez, another speedy outfield component in Boggs and, most importantly, a stop-gap third baseman in Blalock to hold down the position while the Sox figure out whether the future is Josh Fields or the latest Cuban import.
Blalock's shorter contract would also be desirable for a team looking to cut some payroll both now and in the future.
With two third basemen in the system, the Sox wouldn't have the every day concerns about Blalock's health issues; they have lived with Joe Crede's bad back the past two years just fine. But Blalock would come cheaper, and for fewer years, than Vazquez.
This deal moves two headaches out the door in Chicago and gets one out of Texas. It fills holes for both teams, and could positively impact two divisional races.
Just a thought...
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about 1 month ago
Great Article!
about 1 month ago
Thanks for reading, Ben!
about 1 month ago
I like it... but it would still leave a hole in the White Sox rotation. While Vasquez was far from spectacular last year(especially at the end of the year), he was an innings eater that is useful to any rotation. If we had other solutions to filling the void then I would say this trade makes sense.
Who knows though... Kenny may have a mysterious plan behind all the moves he makes that will somehow work in the end.
from about 1 month ago
Maybe it's time we see Richard or Poreda in the mix? Buehrle, Danks and Floyd will all be fine. For the money and performance, I'd rather Paul Byrd be the #5 than Vazquez be the #2-3.
And adding Blalock makes Fields available for an arm
about 1 month ago
With the recent signing of Viceido (think I spelled it right) there is no way the Sox would give anything up for a third baseman like Blaylock, unless Fields was involved in the trade. I just don't Kenny Williams is going to trade for a third baseman anytime in the near future.
from about 1 month ago
It's become fairly obvious that Ozzie isn't a big fan of Fields, but he has trade value and might have enough to bring back a replacement for Vazquez. That means a player with one year left on his contract, like Blalock, is the perfect fit for the Sox while Viceido remembers how to swing a bat; remember, Viceido hasn't played competitive baseball since his defection in April. He'll need a year to get his swing back as well as to adjust to how the game is played in the US. He's also only 19 years old and might need a little seasoning (start and/or finish puberty) before he's an every day major leaguer.
Thanks for reading
about 1 month ago
thats a good point. I just hope Fields still has some trade value after his showing last year.
from about 1 month ago
ESPN's depth chart has Field playing left (albeit because Quentin was hurt). haha
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