Hot Stove Heats Up

and in the kitchen

The Hot Stove League is in full swing. The latest rumor has yet another Yankee pitching cast-off, Javier Vazquez, who spent last year toiling away in the desert with the Arizona Diamondbacks, coming to the Sox for Jon Garland (or El Duque) plus reliever Luis Vizcaino and top minor league prospect, outfielder Chris Young. Scouting reports on Vazquez indicate he's - surprise - inconsistent (and inefficient). 2005 saw him post less-than-impressive data with AZ - he was 11-15 with a 4.42 ERA with 192Ks in 215 IP. At this point, I don't see enough in Vazquez to be convinced that trading away a solid starter (Garland) and yet another top prospect for a another starting pitcher prone to inconsistency is a good idea. Though I like the thought of getting rid of Vizcaino.. and apparently, there is a contractual element to this trade I don't fully understand (Garland would be up at the end of 2006, Vazquez not until 2007, or something like that). KW may be looking too far ahead, but I'm not sure that's a bad thing.

Also, I meant to post this earlier, but here is what the scouting reports say on super-utility man, Rob Mackowiak.

• good power, pulls pitches, especially low fastballs from RHP
• can be too aggressive at the plate
• shows more paitence at the plate in important situations
• good speed and knows how to use it
• good reflexes
• good arm
• average range
• smooth on the corners