Javier Vazquez, a right-handed pitcher from Ponce, Puerto Rico, embarked on his Major League Baseball career when he was drafted by the Montreal Expos in the fifth round of the 1994 MLB Draft. He made his debut with the Expos in 1998, quickly establishing himself as a reliable starter. Vazquez's tenure with the Expos lasted until 2003, during which he developed a reputation for his durability and ability to strike out batters. In 2003, he achieved a career-high 241 strikeouts, which ranked him among the league leaders.
Following his time with the Expos, Vazquez was traded to the New York Yankees in December 2003. His first stint with the Yankees in 2004 was marked by mixed results. While he showed flashes of brilliance, including an All-Star selection, he struggled with consistency, particularly in the second half of the season. After just one year in New York, Vazquez was traded to the Arizona Diamondbacks as part of a multi-player deal.
In Arizona, Vazquez continued to demonstrate his ability to eat innings and maintain a solid strikeout rate. However, after just one season with the Diamondbacks, he was traded again, this time to the Chicago White Sox. His time with the White Sox from 2006 to 2008 was productive, as he consistently delivered double-digit wins and maintained a strong strikeout-to-walk ratio. In 2007, Vazquez recorded 213 strikeouts, further solidifying his reputation as a strikeout pitcher.
Vazquez's journey continued as he was traded to the Atlanta Braves in 2008. The 2009 season with the Braves was one of his best, as he posted a career-low ERA of 2.87 and finished fourth in the National League Cy Young Award voting. His performance that year included 238 strikeouts, showcasing his ability to dominate opposing hitters.
In 2010, Vazquez returned to the Yankees for a second stint. Unfortunately, his performance did not meet expectations, and he struggled with control issues throughout the season. After the 2010 season, Vazquez signed with the Florida Marlins, where he played his final MLB season in 2011. During his time with the Marlins, he experienced a resurgence in the second half of the season, finishing with a respectable 3.69 ERA and 162 strikeouts.
Over his 14-year career, Javier Vazquez was known for his durability, consistently ranking among the league leaders in innings pitched and strikeouts.
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