Last week it was reported that the Colorado Rockies had an interest in Javier Vazquez. I think the universal belief among most baseball people is that 2010 was more of an aberration for Vazquez then anything else. While he didn't pitch particularly well in New York, he didn't exactly get a chance to work his way out of things either.
One look at the comparison between how Vazquez pitched and the opportunity he was given to work out his troubles vs. how A.J. Burnett pitched and his never ending opportunities is all you need to know about Yankees Manager Joe Girardi's personal quest to bury him. Vazquez being left off the playoff roster was proof positive of his place on Girardi's food chain.
Going into last off season, Vazquez was being viewed as an accomplished veteran fresh off a fantastic 2009 season for the Atlanta Braves where he was a legitimate Cy Young candidate. Yankees GM Brain Cashman certainly viewed him that way when he signed him to a $10 million one year contract. Joe Girardi, for whatever reason, didn't see eye to eye with Vazquez and he was never given the respect or opportunity his status in the game and his salary warranted.
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