In a six-player deal, the biggest Braves talent --- literally and figuratively --- going to Chicago is catching prospect Tyler Flowers, a 6-foot-4, 248-pound slugger who was the best power hitter in the Arizona Fall League.

The Braves were also expected to send infielder Brent Lillibridge, minor-league third baseman Jon Gilmore and rookie-league lefty Santos Rodriguez to Chicago for Vazquez and lefty Boone Logan.

The deal can't be finalized until the players pass physicals, which they will take today.

Vazquez, 32, has churned out at least 200 innings in eight of nine seasons and recorded at least 190 strikeouts in six. He slipped to 12-16 with a 4.67 ERA in 2008, after going 15-8 with a 3.74 ERA in 2007.

The right-hander has a 127-129 career record and a 4.32 ERA in parts of 11 seasons in the majors. He's under contract for $11.5 million in 2009 and $11.5 million in 2010.

The Braves believe a move out of the hitter-friendly White Sox home park will help Vazquez, who has allowed 25 or more homers in six of the past seven seasons for four different teams.

Before details of the deal began to emerge, one White Sox scout said he was "praying" Chicago had gotten Flowers in the deal.

White Sox general manager Kenny Williams lives in Arizona and lauded the strapping Braves prospect after seeing one of Flowers' power-hitting displays in the fall league.

Flowers, 22, hit .387 with 12 homers and 23 RBIs in 20 fall league games, after batting .288 with 50 extra-base hits and 88 RBIs in 122 games at Class A Myrtle Beach.

With three-time All-Star catcher Brian McCann signed to a long-term contract, Flowers knew he might eventually be traded.

"I just didn't think it would happen this soon," the Marietta native said. "I was just talking to my parents. They're a little upset about it, but I know it's probably good for me, considering there's a designated hitter [in the American League]. That's another position I can possibly play. That's definitely a plus."

The Braves entered the offseason determined to sign two accomplished and reliable starting pitchers. Vazquez, steady if unspectacular, gives them the durable veteran they lacked in 2008 after injuries to John Smoltz, Tom Glavine and Tim Hudson.

The Braves continue to search for a No. 1-caliber starter. They are one of six teams in negotiations with Toronto free agent A.J. Burnett, who won 18 games and led the American League with 231 strikeouts in 2008.

The Braves and Padres have also discussed a trade for Peavy, the 2007 Cy Young Award winner, but there have been no discussions for 3 1/2 weeks since the Braves announced they were focusing on other options after talks stalled.

Vazquez will probably slip into Atlanta's rotation in the No. 2 or No. 3 spot before or after Jair Jurrjens, who was 13-10 with a 3.68 ERA as a rookie in 2008.

Vazquez has won at least 10 games for nine consecutive seasons and pitched more than 200 innings in every one except 2004, when he worked 198 innings while going 14-10 for the Yankees.

Logan has a 4-4 record and 5.87 ERA in 144 relief appearances over three seasons, including a 5.95 ERA in 2008 when he faded in the second half. He carried a 1.95 ERA in 36 appearances through July 9, then gave up 21 earned runs and 30 hits in his final 19 appearances.

Lillibridge's prospect status slipped in his rookie season, when he hit .200 with one homer, eight RBIs and 23 strikeouts in 80 at-bats for Atlanta, and .220 with 90 strikeouts in 90 games for Class AAA Richmond.

THE DEAL

TO ATLANTA

RHP Javier Vazquez

LHP Boone Logan

TO CHICAGO

INF Brent Lillibridge

C Tyler Flowers

3B Jon Gilmore

LHP Santos Rodriguez