From ESPN.com, the Braves and Yankees have made a trade that impacts the NL East quite a bit:
The New York Yankees have acquired right-hander Javier Vazquez from the Atlanta Braves for outfielder Melky Cabrera and left-hander Mike Dunn, sources told ESPN The Magazine senior writer Buster Olney.The Braves also are sending right-hander Boone Logan to the Yankees, sources said, and the Yankees are sending the Braves $500,000 in the transaction.
Vasquez was one of the best pitchers in the division in 2009. Over the course of 219 innings pitched, he had nearly a 6 to 1 strikeout to walk ratio and his ERA+ was 143. Quite impressive. And now in another league.
Make no mistake, the Braves still have a very good rotation with youngsters Jair Jurrjens and Tommy Hanson. And undoubtedly, the Braves are not finished and will probably add some offense, most likely an outfielder. But without Vasquez, they'll have to add quite an outfielder --and at quite a price-- to make up the difference.
