Last week Javier Vazquez requested a trade from Arizona to an East Coast team and the Mets are apparently trying to work out a deal. According to the Post:
Another big name the Mets are pursuing is another ex-Yankee, right-hander Javier Vazquez of the Diamondbacks, according to sources. Kris Benson's name has popped up in that deal, along with promising young right-hander Brian Bannister, who was 13-5 last year at Binghamton (AA) and Norfolk (AAA).Benson and Bannister for Vazquez would be a no-brainer. Bannister had a very good year in the Minors but he wasn't considered much of a prospect prior to this season. Benson has never been a good pitcher and probably never will be. Vazquez has terrific perhipherals, sporting an outstanding 192:46 K:BB ratio last season. He is a flyball pitcher who should benefit from the spacious outfield at Shea.Vazquez, 29, has requested a trade back East and would love to be reunited with Minaya, who was his GM in Montreal. Vazquez is coming off a bad season when he was 11-15 with a 4.91 ERA. Vazquez is owed $11.5 million in 2006 and $12.5 million in 2007.