Sports Thread #1 For 12/22/09: A Weird Deal Sends Vasquez Back To The Yankees, Cabrera To The Braves

Strike me as one surprised by this

The Yankees' search for another starting pitcher has led them back to an old friend, reportedly agreeing to re-acquire right-hander Javier Vazquez from the Braves on Tuesday as part of a five-player trade.

New York is set to send outfielder Melky Cabrera, Minor League left-hander Mike Dunn and Minor League right-hander Arodys Vizcaino to the Braves in exchange for Vazquez and left-hander Boone Logan, according to the New York Post.

Now the deal is also in part to possibly bring back Johnny Damon after appearing to be done with him in signing Nick Johnson last week.

Still, this move is kind of a head scratcher for me, though nowhere near the Phillies sacrificing Cliff Lee virtually for Roy Halladay.

Though he wasn't a colossal Carl Pavano mess in New York, there is a reason why Javier Vasquez was gone from the Yankees. He just wasn't good enough to be a headline starter for this time like they thought he was he first time around.

However, he certainly doesn't have to be the man this time around at all, and its hard to not say that even with him returning to the American League that his confidence as a pitcher is just as high (if not higher) than his younger ace days in Montreal. The stuff is still clearly there to dominate (238 strikeouts, 44 walks in 219 1/3 innings with an underrated 2.87 ERA), and it allows for either Phil Hughes or Joba Chamberlain to be the 5th starter of this team, while the other goes back to the bullpen.

But to get rid of Cabrera and on the rise prospect Vizciano though for Vasquez doesn't make me jump for joy over this deal. Cabrera has proven himself to be a very serviceable young player for this team, much more than a lot of people thought he would be. It is tough to see him go.

And for the Braves, they needed a bat to go with their plethora of starring pitching. To get Cabrera for the quality of season Vasquez had this past season, I just don't think that is enough for them.