The World Champion Chicago White Sox have traded for Javier Vazquez, adding pitching power to a starting rotation that included four pitchers with double-digit wins last season.
The Arizona Diamondbacks will send Vazquez to the White Sox,
ESPN.com Insider Jerry Crasnick confirmed Wednesday.
In exchange, Orlando "El Duque" Hernandez, reliever Luis Vizcaino and outfield prospect Chris Young will be sent to Arizona.
The deal has yet to be announced by the teams because Arizona is sending cash to the White Sox, which requires the commissioner's approval. Also, the players must take physical exams.
Vazquez had asked to be traded to a team that would be easier for his family in Puerto Rico to visit. He is owed $24 million from the $45 million, four-year contract he agreed to with the Yankees in January 2004. That deal gives him salaries of $11.5 million in 2006 and $12.5 million in 2007.
It would be the fourth major offseason move by the White Sox since Chicago won its first World Series since 1917. The White Sox re-signed first baseman Paul Konerko and traded for DH Jim Thome and utility player Rob Mackowiak.
Vazquez filed a formal trade demand Nov. 10, the right of veteran players dealt during multiyear contracts. Arizona had until
March 15 to trade him or risk having Vazquez become a free agent.
He is owed $11.5 million next year and $12.5 million in 2007.
Vazquez was obtained by the New York Yankees from Montreal after the 2003 season and was an All-Star in his first season with New York, going 14-9 with a 4.75 ERA. But he won just one of his last
nine regular-season starts and was traded to Arizona last January
as part of the deal that sent Randy Johnson to the Yankees. He went
11-15 with a 4.42 ERA for the Diamondbacks this year.
Hernandez, who pitched in relief in the playoffs, was 9-9 last
season and has a career record of 70-49, spending most of his time
in the major leagues with the Yankees.
El Duque is signed for next year, with a base salary of $4,625,000. He can earn an additional $2 million in bonuses based
on innings, getting the full amount if he pitches 205 innings
Vizcaino joined the White Sox last season as part of a trade with the Milwaukee Brewers that also landed Chicago Scott Podsednik
and sent Carlos Lee to the Brewers. He pitched well in the second
half after a slow start and finished 6-5 with a 3.73 ERA.
Vazquez has an 89-93 career record, pitching for the Montreal
Expos, the Yankees and the Diamondbacks.
Young batted .277 with 26 homers and 77 RBI for Double-A
Birmingham last season and was one of the White Sox's top
prospects.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.