I've had him for most of the season. He had a horrible August but a decent July, even though he gave up the longball at a frightening pace. He can still strike guys out. I don't think he's completely lost it like last year, but perhaps someone from AZ has further insight. Personally I play matchups with him (which can be frustrating because he's so unpredictable). A decent back-of-the-rotation starter who can get you a gem if you're lucky.
I will probably get crucified for defending Vazquez, but I still think he is worth owning in NL only or deep leagues. His proclicity for getting blown up is completely frusturating, but in the end would you rather have him or some bum off the waiver wire who has ratios just as bad but does not provide the buttload of Ks that Vazquez does. If you need innings, you can really not afford to drop him.
Moreover, I am suspecting that a lot of the people who complain so loudly about him picked him up off the WW after his first 3 starts, in which were absolutely abysmal. His ratios since then are 4.20/1.20 plus the usual stellar K rate plus 9 wins. These actually are GREAT numbers for WW fodder and I am sure these people were not complaining when Vazquez was winning games left and right in May and june and did not give up a walk for 53 innings or whatever it was.
I can't figure this guy out at all. He has some of the best "stuff" in the major leagues. He was terrific 2 years ago ans well as the first half of last year. Since then erratic city. Dominates for stretches of games, sometimes for complete games, and then gets blown out of the water. Simply no consistency anymore. I just don't understand. Personally, I am running from him.
For the record, I wouldn't start Vazquez today even if I were in an NL West 22 team league. See below:
1. Has been pitching horrible lately.
2. He is facing a very good offense.
3. He is facing the Reds @ home.
4. He has been very home run prone this season.
If you are running him out there today, you are a braver man than I.
I've held onto him all year. He will occasionally bust out a great game followed by a horrible game. This guy is unpredictable. He is either good or bad.
I was in Los Angeles, and the team was playing in San Diego, but I didn't know it. I had taken LSD at noon. I thought it was an off-day. At 1pm, my girlfriend and trip partner looked at the paper and said, "Dock, you're pitching today!"
Mugwump
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Joined: 1 May 2004
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by Yoda » Thu Aug 18, 2005 4:32 pm 
