Last night I went to sleep knowing only that the Yankees were in talks to acquire a “mystery pitcher”.

This morning, I was woken by my early-rising brother who told me that the Yankees acquired Javy Vazquez for Melky Cabrera and Mike Dunn.

Brian Cashman, it seems, has the itch this offseason.

While there is a part of me that’s certainly sad to see Melky Cabrera go, the fact is that Cabrera and Mike Dunn is a rather cheap price to pay for Vazquez, someone who had an ERA under three last season (pitching in the NL East nothwithstanding).

Actually, the part of the deal that may end up making Yankee fans squirm is the giving up of Arodys Vizcaino–a low-level minor leaguer with an exceptionally high ceiling.  However, much can happen between now and then.

The important thing to remember here is that Vazquez wasn’t gotten to be the Yankee ace–not when you have CC, AJ and Andy ahead of you, but as a four or five, while Joba and Phil Hughes presumably duke it out for that last spot, and instead of relying on Chad Gaudin, it’s a very lovely move indeed.

The Yankees’ OF depth does take a hit, losing Melky, but then again, would any of us really be all that surprised if the Yankees went a re-signed Damon, anyway?

The Yankees haven’t (yet) signed any high-priced free agents this offseason, but they’ve been no less active.

Let’s just call it an early Christmas present and enjoy it.

The best are getting better.