Vazquez Gets Three-Year Extension

Javier Vazquez and the White Sox have agreed to a three-year, $34.5 million contract extension. The White Sox must be paying closer attention to the fantasy news wires than traditional baseball stats; though Vazquez has gone 36-37 with a 4.72 ERA over the last three years, he’s also posted a 1.28 WHIP and a strikeout/walk ratio of 3.2 over that span. Furthermore, the right-hander has proven to be durable over his nine-year big-league career and, at 30, may only be starting to hit his stride. It wouldn’t be a bad idea to follow the White Sox lead and invest in Vazquez’s talent this year.
Source: MLB.com

Vazquez Poised For Big Season

White Sox right-hander Javier Vazquez has been talking more confidently in training camp this year, and seems to believe that he is poised for a big season.

Vazquez cites his frequent changes of address -- which brought him into contact with differing pitching coaches and philosophies -- as the main reason for his struggles in recent seasons. Now, he’ll have the chance to begin his second consecutive season with one club for the first time since 2003. Will it be enough to make a difference? Given his baffling inconsistency since establishing himself as one of baseball’s best young pitchers with the Expos, it’s possible that the comfort factor really is a big deal to Vazquez. Regardless of how much stock you put into that theory, it’s worth investing in a 30-year-old pitcher with an impressive career ratio of 3.2 strikeouts per walk.
Source: MLB.com