Yankees jump in arms race
They acquire Vazquez
The New York Yankees made their first big move of the offseason, bolstering their rotation yesterday by agreeing to acquire Javier Vazquez from the Montreal Expos.
In exchange for the 27-year-old righthander, New York sent first baseman Nick Johnson, outfielder Juan Rivera, and lefthander Randy Choate to Montreal. The deal is contingent on the players passing physicals.
"It's tough to trade a pitcher like Javier Vazquez, but I think we have a better opportunity with the situation going forward," Expos general manager Omar Minaya said at a news conference in Montreal.
The Yankees issued a statement acknowledging the trade but wouldn't make any additional comments until after the physicals, citing major league rules.
Vazquez fills one of the holes in the Yankees' starting rotation. He went 13-12 with a 3.24 ERA for the Expos last season, ranking third in the NL in strikeouts with 241 in 230 2/3 innings.
He's three years younger than Bartolo Colon, a free agent who attracted the Yankees' interest.
It wasn't all good news for the Yankees. The state says there is enough evidence to seek as much as $100,000 in fines against the team for violating lobbying laws by giving free tickets to top politicians, including New York's mayor, Michael Bloomberg. The state Temporary Commission on Lobbying plans a civil penalty hearing early next year.
Reds hire Miley
Dave Miley was hired to manage the rebuilding Cincinnati Reds, who removed the interim tag from his job title.
Miley went 22-35 as interim manager last season. He took over after manager Bob Boone and general manager Jim Bowden were fired July 28.
Miley, a 24-year veteran of the Reds organization, received a one-year contract with a club option for another season, general manager Dan O'Brien said.
Former Chicago White Sox manager Jerry Manuel, Pittsburgh Pirates director of player development Brian Graham, and Tampa Bay Devil Rays bench coach John McLaren were also interviewed.
Options for Matsui
Japan's Kazuo Matsui will choose from four major league teams courting him, according to reports. The 28-year-old switch-hitting infielder didn't specify which teams he was considering, citing ongoing negotiations, the national Asahi newspaper and other major dailies reported. "I don't think it will take long to reach a decision," Matsui said. Known as "Little Matsui," he is not related to Yankees outfielder Hideki Matsui, who came from Japan before last season and finished second in AL Rookie of the Year voting. Kazuo Matsui, a seven-time All-Star in Japan's professional leagues, batted .305 with 33 homers, 84 RBIs, and 179 hits this year for the Seibu Lions. Several clubs, including the Red Sox, Dodgers, Yankees, and Mariners, are said to be interested in the speedy Matsui . . . Infielder Mike Mordecai, 35, returned to the World Series champion Florida Marlins, agreeing to a one-year contract. Mordecai batted .213 last season, but exhibited a flair for drama. Both of his home runs during the regular season were extra-inning winners, and his lone hit of the postseason was a three-run double that helped fuel the eight-run eighth inning that won Game 6 of the NL Championship Series . . . Cardinals center fielder Jim Edmonds had shoulder surgery, and the team expects him to be healed by spring training. Also, free agent catcher Chris Widger stayed with the Cardinals, agreeing to a $500,000, one-year contract . . . A man who attacked an umpire at a Chicago White Sox game this year pleaded guilty to aggravated battery. Eric Dybas, 25, of Bolingbrook, Ill., was immediately sentenced to six months in jail and 30 months of probation. He had faced up to five years in prison. Dybas was arrested and charged April 15 after he ran onto the field during a White Sox home game against the Kansas City Royals and tried to tackle umpire Laz Diaz.
