Vazquez gets $34.5 million, 3-year extension from White Sox- AP

I find it amazing that a pitcher who posted a 4.84 ERA last season and is five games under .500 for his career can receive a contract worth $34.5 million. Does it make any sense to you?

March 6, 2007

TUCSON, Ariz. (AP) -- Pitcher Javier Vazquez and the Chicago White Sox agreed Tuesday to a $34.5 million, three-year contract extension through 2010.

Vazquez will get $12.5 million this season, the final year of his current contract, and $11.5 million in each of the following three seasons.

The right-hander, who went 11-12 with a 4.84 ERA with the White Sox a year ago, is 100-105 overall in 10 major league seasons. He pitched three innings Tuesday against Colorado, giving up four runs and six hits.

"Javier and his representative made a proposal that we felt was fair and made sense for us over the next several seasons," White Sox general manager Ken Williams said in a statement. "Javier has expressed a desire to remain in Chicago, and based on what he has accomplished in his career and the familiarity and stability he has found with the White Sox and he city of Chicago, it's a win-win situation for both sides."

Over the past nine years, Vazquez ranks among the major league leaders in strikeouts (fifth), starts (sixth) and innings (eighth). He is the only pitcher with 10 wins, 30 starts and 150 strikeouts in each of the last seven seasons.

Updated on Tuesday, Mar 6, 2007 5:11 pm EST