Every morning, we compile the links of the day and dump them here... highlighting the big storyline. Because there's nothing quite as satisfying as a good morning dump.
The Red Sox could use some starting pitching. Javier Vazquez is mulling a comeback and prefers to play on the east coast. It’s a match made in Heaven, no?According to an industry source, the Red Sox are slated to scout right-hander Javier Vazquez when he pitches for Caguas of the Puerto Rican Winter League on Friday.
NBC Sports: The Red Sox are sending a scout to watch Javier Vazquez pitch
So, there is an up side and down side to their interest in Vazquez, as there is in every interest and acquisition.
We'll start with the positives. If the Sox do show further interest in Vazquez, they could probably get him for less money than he has made in the majors ($7 Million in 2011, $11.5 Million in 2010). He has been out of the league for one full season, so a minor league deal is a slight possibility. His last season in the majors wasn't that bad, going 13-11, with a 3.69 ERA with the Marlins.
He is old enough to have pitched for the Montreal Expos for 6 seasons, so that can be chalked up as a negative. Vazquez is 36 and will be 37 by the trade deadline. He won't be as effective, at least from the start, due to his age and year removed from the league. His overall numbers are slightly better as a NL pitcher than an AL pitcher, which no one in Boston wants to hear.
I have no idea what is left in the tank for Vazquez. The interest from the Red Sox does not surprise me as they continue to try to make something out of almost nothing going into 2013. I would like to think that Vazquez has some potential to help the Sox, though a start in Pawtucket is where I see him if the Sox do take this to the next step.
The rest of the links:
Globe: New Red Sox uniform numbers in 2013 | Herald: Andrew Bailey set for change
