azdad1978
Championship!!!!
Bob McManaman
The Arizona Republic
Feb. 18, 2005 12:00 AM
TUCSON - Javier Vazquez said he's happy to be in Arizona and is looking forward to helping the Diamondbacks try to contend for a playoff spot this season, but he isn't ready to say with any certainty where he might be pitching in 2006.
Because he was traded during the middle of a multiyear contract, - the Yankees dealt him to the Diamondbacks in the Randy Johnson deal - Vazquez has the option of demanding a trade after the 2005 season.
If he does so, and the Diamondbacks fail to move him by March 15, 2006, Vazquez forfeits the final two years of his contract, worth $24 million, and becomes a free agent. It's a decision he said he is not ready to think about at this time.
"I have no idea right now. This is my first day of spring training. I don't know," he said. "During the season I will have an idea and at the end of the season, I'll know."
Playing and living in the Valley could start to grow on him, though, especially if the Diamondbacks are competitive.
"When I was with Montreal, I looked forward to coming here," Vazquez said. "Everybody I've talked to has said great things about playing in Phoenix so I'm going to give it a chance here and if I like it, hopefully, I'll be here for a long time.
"I can't say if I'm going to ask for a trade or not . . . I know that's an option I have, but I can't tell you right now what it's going to take. I might play in Phoenix and I might love Phoenix."
Manager Bob Melvin said he doesn't think Vazquez's contract situation will become a distraction, at least not any time soon.
"If he's happy here and he has a good season here, there's no way he's going to want to go anywhere else," Melvin said. "That's my opinion."
Short hops
Right-handed relievers Ramon Peña and Jose Jimenez have yet to report to camp, Peña because of visa problems and Jimenez due to a personal issue. Melvin, however, said he has been aware of each situation and expects both pitchers to arrive within the next day or two.
• Left-hander Shawn Estes (sprained right ankle) was willing to throw off the mound, but played catch on flat ground instead for precautionary reasons.
• Melvin said he was impressed with his first look at right-handed relief pitchers Greg Aquino, the team's projected closer; Brandon Lyon, who is returning from elbow surgery; and new addition Adam Peterson, acquired from Toronto in the Shea Hillenbrand trade.
"I hadn't seen Aquino before, but the ball just absolutely screams out of his hand," Melvin said.
• Left fielder Luis Gonzalez, recovering from right elbow surgery, took part in full drills on Thursday with other position players who arrived early, and he reported no problems. Although he said he "could play right now if I needed to," the team will likely limit his playing time once Cactus League play begins.
http://www.azcentral.com/sports/special3/articles/0218dbacksnb0218.html
The Arizona Republic
Feb. 18, 2005 12:00 AM
TUCSON - Javier Vazquez said he's happy to be in Arizona and is looking forward to helping the Diamondbacks try to contend for a playoff spot this season, but he isn't ready to say with any certainty where he might be pitching in 2006.
Because he was traded during the middle of a multiyear contract, - the Yankees dealt him to the Diamondbacks in the Randy Johnson deal - Vazquez has the option of demanding a trade after the 2005 season.
If he does so, and the Diamondbacks fail to move him by March 15, 2006, Vazquez forfeits the final two years of his contract, worth $24 million, and becomes a free agent. It's a decision he said he is not ready to think about at this time.
"I have no idea right now. This is my first day of spring training. I don't know," he said. "During the season I will have an idea and at the end of the season, I'll know."
Playing and living in the Valley could start to grow on him, though, especially if the Diamondbacks are competitive.
"When I was with Montreal, I looked forward to coming here," Vazquez said. "Everybody I've talked to has said great things about playing in Phoenix so I'm going to give it a chance here and if I like it, hopefully, I'll be here for a long time.
"I can't say if I'm going to ask for a trade or not . . . I know that's an option I have, but I can't tell you right now what it's going to take. I might play in Phoenix and I might love Phoenix."
Manager Bob Melvin said he doesn't think Vazquez's contract situation will become a distraction, at least not any time soon.
"If he's happy here and he has a good season here, there's no way he's going to want to go anywhere else," Melvin said. "That's my opinion."
Short hops
Right-handed relievers Ramon Peña and Jose Jimenez have yet to report to camp, Peña because of visa problems and Jimenez due to a personal issue. Melvin, however, said he has been aware of each situation and expects both pitchers to arrive within the next day or two.
• Left-hander Shawn Estes (sprained right ankle) was willing to throw off the mound, but played catch on flat ground instead for precautionary reasons.
• Melvin said he was impressed with his first look at right-handed relief pitchers Greg Aquino, the team's projected closer; Brandon Lyon, who is returning from elbow surgery; and new addition Adam Peterson, acquired from Toronto in the Shea Hillenbrand trade.
"I hadn't seen Aquino before, but the ball just absolutely screams out of his hand," Melvin said.
• Left fielder Luis Gonzalez, recovering from right elbow surgery, took part in full drills on Thursday with other position players who arrived early, and he reported no problems. Although he said he "could play right now if I needed to," the team will likely limit his playing time once Cactus League play begins.
http://www.azcentral.com/sports/special3/articles/0218dbacksnb0218.html
