The small-market Expos continue to go through growing pains with their young pitchers. Everything has to fall right for a team like this, so the series of injuries to key pitchers, both in the rotation and the bullpen was devastating to Montreal's 2000 season.
Many arms here look promising, it's a good place for owners to look for values.
Vazquez was rushed to the majors and has undergone trial by fire the past couple seasons of seasons, but it has been paying off. Vazquez' ERA has dropped by about a run each of the last two seasons, his K rate took a quantum leap forward, and both his walk and HR rates improved for the second year in a row. He has a low 90's fastball and mixes in both an excellent curve and outstanding change-up and was throwing all three for strikes. He struggled with his mechanics mid-season, but when he puts it all together, you will want to have him on your roster. Pavano has elbow surgery, bringing what started out to be an excellent year to a premature end.