Javier Vazquez to the Yankees is quietly the biggest move of the offseason

Javier Vazquez’s role with the Yankees will be like that of an offensive lineman. He will be under appreciated, quietly do his job and be booed for obvious holding penalties or in this case home runs. He play a huge part for the foundation of this team and is the biggest offseason move that no one is talking about.

He dominated last season striking out the FOURTH most batters in the entire league with 238 and finishing fourth in CY YOUNG votes.

This was because of his overpowering stuff and great command. He gave up a miniscule 44 walks last season -- better than most of the big names like Zack Greinke, Tim Lincecum, Felix Hernandez and Adam Wainwright. Does he have to make world peace to get some attention?

Besides his very particular set of skills -- skills that would be useful for bringing the championship to New York, he frees up Phil Hughes, Joba Chamberlain or even both to go to the bullpen. This trade is why Brian Cashman is ten times better than Omar Minaya.

Imagine Phil Hughes rolling through the 7th, followed by Joba striking out the side in the 8th and Mariano Rivera doing his thing in the 9th.

If that happened it would be like watching an All-Star game. You put Chad Gaudin in the fifth spot, which is actually an upgrade from Sergio Mitre. Then once the playoffs come around you go with a four man rotation -- except now Joba and Hughes are used to being in the pen, instead of abruptly moving them there if they were a starter.

The days of Sergio Mitre self-destructing in the 3rd inning are over. He eats innings for breakfast and plays every day. Having that workhorse in the rotation allows the bullpen to be better because they will not be over used.

Now I know there are Yankee fans that remember Vaquez’s last season with the Yanks. He started off good and ended terribly so I understand the idea about how he can’t pitch in the American League.

There is concern but this time will be different because there is no pressure. He doesn’t have to be their ace because that’s C.C. Sabathia’s job. Last time he was supposed to carry the team. Now he’s out of the spotlight so much that people don’t even know he exists and that’s the difference this time around.

Is it also out of the question that perhaps he became a better pitcher? Given that his walk rate was at a career low and that the Braves have are known for developing pitchers there’s a good chance he’s simply a better player.

But remember my point is about how he is the most valuable addition to any team this offseason -- not why he should be in the next Yankeeography dvd.

Brian Cashman hit the jackpot on this deal and if he pitches well it can be one of their best seasons ever.

"There's a whole domino effect that this one transaction actually has through our 12-man pitching staff," Cashman said.