Vazquez to Atlanta

Javier Vazquez is heading to Atlanta with Boone Logan (LOOGY specialist, lefty one out guy) for some prospects. This continues the apparent rebuilding job by White Sox GM Ken Williams. I hadn't heard anything about the White Sox rebuilding heading into the offseason, but it's obvious now after they have traded Vazquez and earlier Swisher. I would imagine other pricey players like Jermaine Dye, Jim Thome, and Paul Konerko to be on the market as well. With some pricey free agent hitters sure to be fought over (Manny, Teixeira, and now Dunn, Abreu, Burrell) trading for Dye/Thome/Konerko could be a nice move that won't require you to have them locked in for 3+ years.

Besides those hitters, the only other expensive moveable player of note would be Mark Buehrle who is owed $42m the next 3 years. That is reasonable money for a pitcher who is as durable as anyone and who posted ERAs under 4 the last 2 years. We've heard the unfounded whispers about Roy Halladay trades and the obvious Jake Peavy rumors, it's only time until Buehrle's name is thrown out there. After Burnett and/or Lowe sign for $16m per for 4 or 5 years, Buerhle would become more attractive being as durable as Lowe, lefty, and 2 years younger than Burnett. Maybe the White Sox because of that would like to keep him, but if Peavy is costing too much, there is Buerhle sitting right there injury free with experience in the AL.