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The White Sox will send Vazquez and left-handed reliever Boone Logan to the Braves for four players infielder Brent Lillibridge, Class A catcher Tyler Flowers and two low minor leaguers.
The deal is contingent on the players involved passing physicals; Vazquez will take his physical in Atlanta on Wednesday. An official announcement could come Wednesday or Thursday, sources said.
The deal fulfills the Braves' desire to add front-line starting pitching while continuing the White Sox's quest to get younger and more athletic while reducing their payroll.
The Braves entered the off-season intending to acquire two quality starters. When their quest to acquire Padres right-hander Jake Peavy stalled, they shifted their attention to other trades and made free- agent right-hander A.J. Burnett a top priority.
Vazquez, 32, went 12-16 with a 4.67 ERA for the White Sox last season.He isn't a top-of-the-rotation starter, but his stuff remains above- average and he could benefit from a move to the National League. He has pitched 200 or more innings in eight of the last nine seasons, the exception being 2004, when he worked 198.
For the White Sox, the trade of Vazquez will mark their second major move of the offseason. They earlier sent first baseman/outfielder Nick Swisher and a minor league pitcher to the Yankees for infielder Wilson Betemit and two minor-league pitchers, and continue to discuss trades for outfielder Jermaine Dye.
Vazquez is under contract for $11.5 million next season and $11.5 million in 2010. He likely welcomes a trade to Atlanta, one of the closest major-league cities to his native Puerto Rico.
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