Jorge

Vasquez

Vasquez allowed four runs -- three earned -- in 3 1/3 innings over two appearances.

Maybe Leo Mazzone can get something out of Vasquez, but this is a salary dump. Marrero was due somewhere between $3 million and $4.6 million in 2005, depending on how many escalators he reached. The 26-year-old Vasquez had a 4.68 ERA as a Double-A reliever in 2004 after finishing with sub-2.00 ERAs the previous two seasons. His average fastball and top-notch slider could make him an 11th or 12th pitcher.

Vasquez, 27, had a 1.12 ERA in 40 1/3 IP for Double-A Mississippi and a 3.00 ERA in nine innings for Atlanta, but he struggled in 14 appearances for Triple-A Richmond in the second half of the season. He could be an 11th or 12th pitcher in the majors, so someone may pick him up.

He’s allowed one run in seven innings. Vasquez is one of the better minor league free agents available this winter, but if anyone really wanted him, he could have been snared off waivers when the Braves designated him for assignment in September.

Vasquez has given up just four hits and struck out 17 in 12 innings.

The Braves must be very unimpressed with their Triple-A reliever. Vasquez, acquired from the Royals for Eli Marrero in December, is more likely than Blaine Boyer to help the bullpen.

Vasquez, the reliever the Braves got from the Royals for Eli Marrero, is too good for Double-A. The 26-year-old has a 1.23 ERA and a 29/6 K/BB ratio in 28 1/3 IP. He has a chance to have a career as an 11th or 12th pitcher.

Vazquez gave up four runs -- three earned -- in nine innings. He may have a tough time getting another chance since Tim Hudson and Mike Hampton are on the way back.

Vasquez walked seven in 9 1/3 innings this spring. McLeary was better, allowing three earned runs and posting an 8/2 K/BB ratio in nine innings, but he wasn’t looked at as much of a candidate for a bullpen job.