Breaking News: Yanks Complete Trade For Vazquez

The MSG Network is reporting that the Yankees and Expos have agreed to a deal that will send starting pitcher Javier Vazquez to the Yankees for 1B Nick Johnson, OF Juan Rivera and LHP Randy Choate. The Yankees and Vazquez now have 72 hours to agree to a contract extension or the trade will not go through. Updated 12/4/03 at 1:28 PM

The Yankees have been looking to add to their rotation after the Red Sox announced the acquisition of Curt Schilling from the Diamondbacks last week. New York had long sought Vazquez and originally were considering Johnson and prospect Chien-Ming Wang for the deal. If Vazquez and the Yankees can agree to an extension - and in all likelihood they will - then the young right-hander will become a Yankee.

Vazquez, 26 years old, was 13-12 last season with a 3.24 ERA in 230 2/3 innings. He also struck out 241 batters while walking just 57. For his career, Vazquez is 64-68 with a 4.16 ERA, but he is one of the most promising young starters in the major leagues.

Johnson was the Yankees top prospect before breaking into the majors full-time in 2002. Last season, he batted .284 with 14 homeruns and 47 RBI. He also posted a .422 on-base percentage, a rare attribute for a player his age. Rivera, another top-flight Yankee prospect but one that hasn't proven himself at the major league level yet, hit .266 with seven homers and 26 RBI in 173 at bats for New York. Choate only pitched 3.2 innings last season, but he is 3-2 with a 4.50 ERA in 90 career major league innings. He will be a lefty specialist for Montreal.