In a surprise move, the White Sox signed 30 year-old right-handed starter Javier Vazquez to a three-year, $34.5MM extension today. The deal starts in 2008, as Vazquez is due $12.5MM this year.
I love the move. If the Sox had to choose one of their guys to extend, Vazquez was the right one. Plus, they get him at a slight discount after a 4.84 ERA that did not represent his skills. How many American League pitchers strike out 8 batters per nine and walk fewer than 2.5? Not many. Vazquez’s command, as measured by K/BB, is among the best in the AL. Only Schilling, Santana, Haren, and Halladay pitched 200 innings with better command. And Vazquez is a virtual lock for 32+ starts.
PECOTA says the White Sox overpaid by $7MM, but given the current market, I think it’s more than fair. If Ted Lilly requires 4/40 and Gil Meche 5/55, Vazquez’s deal is a steal. One of these years, maybe 2007, Don Cooper is going to solve the enigma of his disproportionately high ERAs.