Vazquez submits list of blocked teams
11/18/2005
PHOENIX -- It appears that if Javier Vazquez is traded by the Diamondbacks, it won't be to the Phillies, Rangers or Mariners.
An industry source told MLB.com that those are three of the six teams on Vazquez's list of clubs to which he cannot be traded. While not revealing the rest of the teams, the source said Seattle is the only team west of Arizona to be included on the list.
Diamondbacks general manager Josh Byrnes declined to comment on the list other than to say that the team had received it.
"We'll let any details come from their side," Byrnes said.
Vazquez's agent, Seth Levinson, reiterated his stance from last week that the request for a trade is based only on family considerations.
"Look, the Diamondbacks are a classy organization," Levinson said. "They are decent and respectful people. This has nothing to do with the Diamondbacks as an organization. Arizona is just a geographical nightmare for Javier."
When he requested the trade last weekend, which he is allowed to do as a veteran traded in the middle of a multiyear contract, Vazquez said he did so in hopes of being dealt to a team closer to his home in Puerto Rico. That's because his wife and small children travel frequently to and from Puerto Rico during the season.
Why, then, the Phillies, an East Coast team, would be on the list is not exactly known. It could be because Citizens Bank Park is regarded as a hitter's park, which could also explain why the Rangers, who play in Ameriquest Field, were also on the list. The Rangers' inclusion must have disappointed Arizona, which could have had interest in young catcher Gerald Laird.
At first glance, it seems odd that Vazquez would not have included teams on the West Coast other than Seattle, but he could think the Diamondbacks would not trade him to one of their division rivals and that the A's might not be able to fit his contract in their budget.
Vazquez has two years remaining on a deal he originally signed with the Yankees. He is scheduled to make $11.5 million in 2006 and $12.5 million in 2007.
That does still leave open the possibility of a trade to the Angels, who have a deep farm system, but may be hesitant to deal for a player making $24 million over the next two years and who would be unhappy being in their city.
"It's out of fairness to the teams that are blocked that we keep the identities and reasons for them being on the list confidential," Levinson said. "We told the Diamondbacks that we will remain open-minded throughout the process."
The Vazquez trade is the key move for the Diamondbacks, because what the club gets in return for him will go a long way toward determining their moves the rest of the offseason.
"That's a big trade with big implications," Byrnes said. "We need to know where we are with Vazquez before we sharpen the rest of our offseason strategy."
With a thin free-agent market and teams with some money to spend, the Diamondbacks' best bet at improving could come via trades rather than free agents.
"We've been very active talking to agents and clubs," Byrnes said. "Probably more from the club side."
Lessard leaves: Head athletic trainer Paul Lessard left the organization to join the Red Sox in a similar role.
Lessard, who had been with the Diamondbacks since their inception, wanted to be closer to his two young daughters, who live the Boston area.
"I'm leaving a good organization," he said. "I'm not taking this job looking for greener pastures. I was looking for inner peace."
Roster rumblings: In other news, the Diamondbacks added four players to their 40-man roster. Right-handed pitcher Mike Schultz, left-handed pitcher Doug Slaten, catcher Miguel Montero and infielder Sergio Santos were put on the roster to protect them from next month's Rule 5 Draft.
The Diamondbacks also removed three players from the roster, left-handed pitcher Bill Murphy, infielder Jerry Gil and outfielder Marland Williams. All three players cleared waivers and were outrighted to Triple-A Tucson.
With the moves, the Diamondbacks now have 37 players on their roster.
Source: http://arizona.diamondbacks.mlb.com/
PHOENIX -- It appears that if Javier Vazquez is traded by the Diamondbacks, it won't be to the Phillies, Rangers or Mariners.
An industry source told MLB.com that those are three of the six teams on Vazquez's list of clubs to which he cannot be traded. While not revealing the rest of the teams, the source said Seattle is the only team west of Arizona to be included on the list.
Diamondbacks general manager Josh Byrnes declined to comment on the list other than to say that the team had received it.
"We'll let any details come from their side," Byrnes said.
Vazquez's agent, Seth Levinson, reiterated his stance from last week that the request for a trade is based only on family considerations.
"Look, the Diamondbacks are a classy organization," Levinson said. "They are decent and respectful people. This has nothing to do with the Diamondbacks as an organization. Arizona is just a geographical nightmare for Javier."
When he requested the trade last weekend, which he is allowed to do as a veteran traded in the middle of a multiyear contract, Vazquez said he did so in hopes of being dealt to a team closer to his home in Puerto Rico. That's because his wife and small children travel frequently to and from Puerto Rico during the season.
Why, then, the Phillies, an East Coast team, would be on the list is not exactly known. It could be because Citizens Bank Park is regarded as a hitter's park, which could also explain why the Rangers, who play in Ameriquest Field, were also on the list. The Rangers' inclusion must have disappointed Arizona, which could have had interest in young catcher Gerald Laird.
At first glance, it seems odd that Vazquez would not have included teams on the West Coast other than Seattle, but he could think the Diamondbacks would not trade him to one of their division rivals and that the A's might not be able to fit his contract in their budget.
Vazquez has two years remaining on a deal he originally signed with the Yankees. He is scheduled to make $11.5 million in 2006 and $12.5 million in 2007.
That does still leave open the possibility of a trade to the Angels, who have a deep farm system, but may be hesitant to deal for a player making $24 million over the next two years and who would be unhappy being in their city.
"It's out of fairness to the teams that are blocked that we keep the identities and reasons for them being on the list confidential," Levinson said. "We told the Diamondbacks that we will remain open-minded throughout the process."
The Vazquez trade is the key move for the Diamondbacks, because what the club gets in return for him will go a long way toward determining their moves the rest of the offseason.
"That's a big trade with big implications," Byrnes said. "We need to know where we are with Vazquez before we sharpen the rest of our offseason strategy."
With a thin free-agent market and teams with some money to spend, the Diamondbacks' best bet at improving could come via trades rather than free agents.
"We've been very active talking to agents and clubs," Byrnes said. "Probably more from the club side."
Lessard leaves: Head athletic trainer Paul Lessard left the organization to join the Red Sox in a similar role.
Lessard, who had been with the Diamondbacks since their inception, wanted to be closer to his two young daughters, who live the Boston area.
"I'm leaving a good organization," he said. "I'm not taking this job looking for greener pastures. I was looking for inner peace."
Roster rumblings: In other news, the Diamondbacks added four players to their 40-man roster. Right-handed pitcher Mike Schultz, left-handed pitcher Doug Slaten, catcher Miguel Montero and infielder Sergio Santos were put on the roster to protect them from next month's Rule 5 Draft.
The Diamondbacks also removed three players from the roster, left-handed pitcher Bill Murphy, infielder Jerry Gil and outfielder Marland Williams. All three players cleared waivers and were outrighted to Triple-A Tucson.
With the moves, the Diamondbacks now have 37 players on their roster.
Source: http://arizona.diamondbacks.mlb.com/
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