http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20110218&content_id=16676416&vkey=news_mlb&c_id=mlb
02/18/11 6:20 PM EST
Vazquez hopes for a major rebound in '11
By Joe Frisaro / MLB.com
JUPITER, Fla. -- Returning to the National League East is a homecoming of sorts for Javier Vazquez. It also provides the 34-year-old right-hander with a better chance to return to his home in Puerto Rico on occasion during the season.
On Friday, his first day in a Marlins' uniform, Vazquez already felt like he was in a comfort zone.
After experiencing a rough year with the Yankees in 2010, Vazquez agreed to sign with the Marlins for several reasons.
"They're a good team," the right-hander said. "I think we have a good nucleus. Also, the proximity to Puerto Rico helps me to see my family. My kids are in school over there right now. I'm hoping to make a few trips back home on days off, or they can come over here. It's easier travel. I always loved Florida and thought about playing here."
Last November, the Marlins made that thought a reality by securing Vazquez's signature on a one-year deal worth $7 million.
A native of Ponce, P.R., Vazquez hails from the same town as Marlins manager Edwin Rodriguez, who reached out to the right-hander during the free-agent period.
"It's a great honor to play for Edwin," Vazquez said. "I've known Edwin for a lot of years. Every time a manager or an organization tells you they want you, it feels good as a player. I told them I did want to be here. It worked out."
The Marlins see Vazquez as an established veteran who solidifies a young rotation. The right-hander projects to be the third starter, behind Josh Johnson and Ricky Nolasco. Rounding out the staff are Anibal Sanchez and Chris Volstad.
"Signing Javy Vazquez balances our rotation with young arms and experience," Rodriguez said. "Not only on the mound, but off the mound, and the way he goes about his business. He's going to be a very good influence."
The Marlins are the sixth team Vazquez has played for in his 14-year MLB career.
He is hoping that with his fresh start that he will regain the form that made him one of the top pitchers in the National League in 2009. With the Braves that season, he was 15-10 with a 2.87 ERA.
Vazquez endured a tough year in 2010 with the Yankees, posting a 10-10 record with a 5.32 ERA in 31 games, including 26 starts.
"Last year is in the past," he said. "It's a new year this year. Hopefully, I will have a good year this year, and put that behind me."
While Vazquez has been an effective National League pitcher, he struggled during his two stints with New York. He was also with the Yankees in 2004, and his numbers also were off. Despite a 14-10 record, his ERA was 4.91.
"There have been two difficult seasons over there," Vazquez said. "But I'm ready to get started here."
One reason for Vazquez's difficulties in 2010 was the fact that his velocity was down. According to Fangraphs.com, the right-hander's average velocity was between 85-93 mph.
With the Braves in 2009, he was throwing closer to 95 mph.
"My velocity was down a little bit last year," he said. "In the offseason, I was working with a therapist and doing some different [conditioning] things. I'm not 27 anymore, so I've got to start doing different things.
"Even though I feel good, and my arm feels good, I need to start doing some different things to help my arm. Hopefully it will go up this year."
Part of his struggles a year ago, he said, stemmed from the fact he has logged 2,647 1/3 innings in his career.
"The thing is, I've had a lot of years in the big leagues -- and a lot of innings -- and the arm starts taking a toll," he said. "I'm also doing my part in trying to regain the velocity that has been there throughout my career."
The addition of Vazquez adds a proven veteran to one of the deepest Marlins rotations in years.
The Marlins feel they have a strong rotation, but they are being overlooked in a division that features the Phillies.
Philadelphia boasts a veteran staff that includes Roy Halladay, Cliff Lee, Roy Oswalt and Cole Hamels.
"They obviously have a great pitching staff. That's not a secret," Vazquez said. "They've got some pitchers there who can be No. 1s anywhere. Right now on paper, they are the team to beat. We have to play good baseball to beat them. "We feel here we have a good rotation, too. We have to do our part. That's the good thing about baseball, you have to go out there and play the game, and that's it. Nobody felt the Giants were going to win the World Series last year, and they did. Nobody is going to be a champion until you play the game."
Joe Frisaro is a reporter for MLB.com.
02/18/11 6:20 PM EST
Vazquez hopes for a major rebound in '11
By Joe Frisaro / MLB.com
JUPITER, Fla. -- Returning to the National League East is a homecoming of sorts for Javier Vazquez. It also provides the 34-year-old right-hander with a better chance to return to his home in Puerto Rico on occasion during the season.
On Friday, his first day in a Marlins' uniform, Vazquez already felt like he was in a comfort zone.
After experiencing a rough year with the Yankees in 2010, Vazquez agreed to sign with the Marlins for several reasons.
"They're a good team," the right-hander said. "I think we have a good nucleus. Also, the proximity to Puerto Rico helps me to see my family. My kids are in school over there right now. I'm hoping to make a few trips back home on days off, or they can come over here. It's easier travel. I always loved Florida and thought about playing here."
Last November, the Marlins made that thought a reality by securing Vazquez's signature on a one-year deal worth $7 million.
A native of Ponce, P.R., Vazquez hails from the same town as Marlins manager Edwin Rodriguez, who reached out to the right-hander during the free-agent period.
"It's a great honor to play for Edwin," Vazquez said. "I've known Edwin for a lot of years. Every time a manager or an organization tells you they want you, it feels good as a player. I told them I did want to be here. It worked out."
The Marlins see Vazquez as an established veteran who solidifies a young rotation. The right-hander projects to be the third starter, behind Josh Johnson and Ricky Nolasco. Rounding out the staff are Anibal Sanchez and Chris Volstad.
"Signing Javy Vazquez balances our rotation with young arms and experience," Rodriguez said. "Not only on the mound, but off the mound, and the way he goes about his business. He's going to be a very good influence."
The Marlins are the sixth team Vazquez has played for in his 14-year MLB career.
He is hoping that with his fresh start that he will regain the form that made him one of the top pitchers in the National League in 2009. With the Braves that season, he was 15-10 with a 2.87 ERA.
Vazquez endured a tough year in 2010 with the Yankees, posting a 10-10 record with a 5.32 ERA in 31 games, including 26 starts.
"Last year is in the past," he said. "It's a new year this year. Hopefully, I will have a good year this year, and put that behind me."
While Vazquez has been an effective National League pitcher, he struggled during his two stints with New York. He was also with the Yankees in 2004, and his numbers also were off. Despite a 14-10 record, his ERA was 4.91.
"There have been two difficult seasons over there," Vazquez said. "But I'm ready to get started here."
One reason for Vazquez's difficulties in 2010 was the fact that his velocity was down. According to Fangraphs.com, the right-hander's average velocity was between 85-93 mph.
With the Braves in 2009, he was throwing closer to 95 mph.
"My velocity was down a little bit last year," he said. "In the offseason, I was working with a therapist and doing some different [conditioning] things. I'm not 27 anymore, so I've got to start doing different things.
"Even though I feel good, and my arm feels good, I need to start doing some different things to help my arm. Hopefully it will go up this year."
Part of his struggles a year ago, he said, stemmed from the fact he has logged 2,647 1/3 innings in his career.
"The thing is, I've had a lot of years in the big leagues -- and a lot of innings -- and the arm starts taking a toll," he said. "I'm also doing my part in trying to regain the velocity that has been there throughout my career."
The addition of Vazquez adds a proven veteran to one of the deepest Marlins rotations in years.
The Marlins feel they have a strong rotation, but they are being overlooked in a division that features the Phillies.
Philadelphia boasts a veteran staff that includes Roy Halladay, Cliff Lee, Roy Oswalt and Cole Hamels.
"They obviously have a great pitching staff. That's not a secret," Vazquez said. "They've got some pitchers there who can be No. 1s anywhere. Right now on paper, they are the team to beat. We have to play good baseball to beat them. "We feel here we have a good rotation, too. We have to do our part. That's the good thing about baseball, you have to go out there and play the game, and that's it. Nobody felt the Giants were going to win the World Series last year, and they did. Nobody is going to be a champion until you play the game."
Joe Frisaro is a reporter for MLB.com.
