By Kevin Goldstein
December 4, 2003

The Yankees continued their loud response to the Red Sox' acquistion of Curt Schilling, obtaining Javier Vazquez on Thursday for Nick Johnson, Juan Rivera and Triple-A lefthander Randy Choate. Vazquez is the third pitcher added by New York this week, following the free-agent signings of relievers Tom Gordon and Paul Quantrill, and the team has an impending agreement with seven-time all-star Gary Sheffield.

Vazquez, a 27-year-old righthander, enjoyed his best season as a big leaguer in 2003, which made him due for a significant arbitration raise from his 2003 salary of $6 million. He went 13-12, 3.24 in 34 starts, ranking third in the National League with 241 strikeouts (versus just 57 walks) in 231 innings. Opponents batted .221 against him. Vazquez is one of the best and most durable starters in the game. He has one of the deepest repertoires around, with a low-90s fastball that he can add to or take away from with ease for either greater velocity or more sink. He shows good command with both his slider and curveball, and his plus changeup features excellent deception. If he has a weakness, it's a tendency to work up in the zone, which is why he has surrendered 28 homers in each of the last two years. Vazquez, who went 64-68, 4.15 in 192 games with Montreal, will pitch at the front of the Yankees rotation with Mike Mussina.

The Expos have a history of dumping high-priced talent with little return since they have been owned by Major League Baseball, but this deal bucks that trend. Johnson, 25, long has been considered one of the best young hitters in baseball and fills a huge hole at first base for Montreal. Limited to 96 games this year because of thumb and wrist injuries, he hit .284-14-47 with 70 walks and an impressive .422 on-base percentage. He always has shown an extreme ability to get on base and his power continues to develop. He doesn't run well but is an above-average defender. While Johnson has a long history of wrist and hand injuries, the Yankees believed they discovered the cause of the problems and modified the way he grips the bat, which led to a healthy second half. The nephew of Phillies manager Larry Bowa, he has hit .256/.376/.424 with 31 homers and 113 RBIs in 248 career games. Eligible for arbitration for the first time, he'll get a hefty raise from his 2003 salary of $364,100.

Rivera, also 25, has been the best young outfielder in the Yankees system for some time. But New York's affinity for veterans left him without a regular job. He hit .266-7-26 in 57 games for the Yankees and .325-7-37 in 79 games with Triple-A Columbus this year. He can hit for average with decent power and the potential for more. He's also a good fielder with a plus arm and average speed. A career .262/.302/.427 hitter with eight homers and 32 RBIs in 88 big league games, Rivera has nothing left to prove in Triple-A. He could be free agent Vladimir Guerrero's successor in right field for Montreal.

Choate, 28, was a fifth-round pick out of Florida State in 1997. He has spent parts of the last four seasons with New York, going 3-2, 4.43 in 82 appearances (just five in 2003). He spent most of the season in Triple-A, going 3-5, 3.91 in 54 games. He had a 56-24 strikeout-walk ratio in 71 innings, while opponents batted .271 with four homers. Choate doesn't have a plus pitch or velocity, relying on command and deception to outwit hitters.