Phil Rogers: Arizona first wanted BA, KW offered Young instead

[Frater Perdurabo]

It's good to see an ex-Sox prospect beat up on the Cubs.

In today's Trib, Rogers claims that during the 2005-06 offseason, when KW asked for Javier Vazquez, Arizona initially wanted Brian Anderson, but KW said no, and offered Chris Young instead.

Can anyone confirm or refute this?

It was my understanding, based on what I've read here, that Arizona wanted Young from the outset. But then again, I never read such a statement from a beat reporter or journalist, or in a quote (or paraphrase) attributed to KW or Arizona management.

I don't want to re-hash the trade AGAIN (it's been done a million times elsewhere), but I'm curious if anyone else has heard or read anything that confirms or refutes Rogers' claim.

Phil, if you're reading, can you give us a hint as to the source who gave you this info?

[itsnotrequired]

Reading that article, one would think Young was traded for a bag of balls, not a workhouse starting pitcher that has thrown nearly 420 innings with close to 400 Ks over the last two seasons.



Despite throwing 14 more innings in 2007 when compared to 2006, Vazquez has given up fewer hits, fewer runs, fewer walks while at the same time throwing more strikeouts, lowering his ERA, lowering his WHIP and picking up 4 more wins and 4 fewer losses.

But if only the Sox had Young this last season instead on Vazquez. Then we would be the ones talking postseason.

[Frater Perdurabo]

Originally Posted by itsnotrequired

Reading that article, one would think Young was traded for a bag of balls, not a workhouse starting pitcher that has thrown nearly 420 innings with close to 400 Ks over the last two seasons.



Despite throwing 14 more innings in 2007 when compared to 2006, Vazquez has given up fewer hits, fewer runs, fewer walks while at the same time throwing more strikeouts, lowering his ERA, lowering his WHIP and picking up 4 more wins and 4 fewer losses.

But if only the Sox had Young this last season instead on Vazquez. Then we would be the ones talking postseason.

Come on, man. I wasn't trying to re-hash the trade or rip on Phil.

I just wanted to know if anyone could confirm or refute what Phil reported about Arizona first wanting BA.

[The Immigrant]

I don't need to read the article to tell you that Phil is full of crap, as always. Either way, what's done is done.

[DumpJerry]

So what? Really. At the time, they made the deal they made. At the time, BA was rated higher than Young, of course Arizona would have wanted him.

The way people are reacting to the loss of Young, you'd think we got Mike Sirotka for him.

[itsnotrequired]

Originally Posted by Frater Perdurabo

Come on, man. I wasn't trying to re-hash the trade or rip on Phil.

I just wanted to know if anyone could confirm or refute what Phil reported about Arizona first wanting BA.

I'm not trying to re-hash the trade either. The Sox needed a starting pitcher, the D-Backs needed outfield help. We had a plethora of outfielders at the time so it made sense for both sides. Young vs. Anderson is irrelevent at this point. Both sides got what they needed. Who knew Anderson would struggle as he has or that Young would blossom so quickly? I liked the trade then and I like the trade now.

I am going to take a jab at Phil for only mentioning Javy is passing, as if the Sox picked up some token pitcher for mop-up duty. He had his struggles last season but this season, Javy was a stud. Phil could have at least mentioned how well the trade has worked out for the Sox.

[nccwsfan]

Hindsight makes a lot of us look smarter than we actually are. I was happy with the Vazquez trade then and I'm happy about it now. I'll take the proven pitcher (who was our best starter in 2007, FWIW) over the prospect.

[voodoochile]

I can confirm it, but if anyone asks, I'm denying the confirmation came from me and I'll refute anyone who says otherwise...

[CLR01]

It's not true and the citizens of Arizona should be grateful. That place would be a desert if satan had come to play there.

[tebman]

Originally Posted by itsnotrequired

I am going to take a jab at Phil for only mentioning Javy is passing, as if the Sox picked up some token pitcher for mop-up duty. He had his struggles last season but this season, Javy was a stud. Phil could have at least mentioned how well the trade has worked out for the Sox.

According to Phil Rogers, Brandon McCarthy was the reincarnation of Cy Young. If only KW had not made that "despicable" trade, the Sox would have been marching arm-in-arm to Valhalla showered in rose petals. The Vazquez-Young trade is yet another example of the White Sox's shortsightedness and imprudence.

The Cubs were so much wiser.

(add teal as needed)

[oeo]

Originally Posted by Frater Perdurabo

I just wanted to know if anyone could confirm or refute what Phil reported about Arizona first wanting BA.

Who cares? It's in the past.

Everytime I see Young hit a dinger, or steal a base, or speed around the bases; I get this weird feeling in my stomach that he could be with us, but he's not. What's done is done, and we got a pretty good starting pitcher out of him.

[RowanDye]

Originally Posted by CLR01

It's not true and the citizens of Arizona should be grateful. That place would be a desert if satan had come to play there.

Not to mention all of the children that would have gone missing...

[nsolo]

Originally Posted by oeo

Who cares? It's in the past.

Everytime I see Young hit a dinger, or steal a base, or speed around the bases; I get this weird feeling in my stomach that he could be with us, but he's not. What's done is done, and we got a pretty good starting pitcher out of him.

Yeah, its in the past. Water under the bridge, that train has departed, blah blah blah.... But, wouldn't it have been nice if Young was still here...along with the stud pitcher we would have got for B.A.? Call it rehashing if you will, but I can't help but wonder how that may have solved last years c.f. problems.

Yet maybe the original poster to this thread just wanted to know if B.S. was the Diamondbacks first choice. If so, Kenny made a bad decision, a statement that seems ruffle too many feathers on this site.

[Dolemite79]

Well there's no doubt Chris Young would have solved a lot of our problems, but at least he made the Cubs suffer, which brings a giant smile to my face

[kittle42]

If Young was on the Sox in 2007, half the people here would have wanted to kill him for not taking enough walks and being another "all or nothing" type with the homers.