Rumors are the Rangers, Cubs, Nationals and maybe now the Brewers are interested in Webb. Might be a minor league contract only which would give him an invite to Spring Training and given his veteran status probably only a couple million a year if that. If he would not make the team after ST he could have a clause put in that would release him from team control and put him back into free agency to possibly get picked up by another team.
He'd most likely make a veteran minimum contract and get incentives based on Games Started and IP.
He also could get a Major League contract that would put him on the 25 man roster even after Spring Training but that team would not be able to send him down to the minors if he started really struggling unless Brandon Webb actually consented and approved that move. Which he wouldn't. With a minor league contract he can be optioned to AAA without his consent.
It'll be interested to see what kind of structured contract and clauses he gets signed with. Also interesting to see if he can throw more than 83 mph by Spring Training (that was the fastest radar time in the Instructional League this year). 83 MPH just doesn't cut it.
He was a Top 3 pitcher in the league keep in mind. All of 2009 and 2010 were completely lost but in 2008 he won 22 games and was barely over 3.00 ERA. He was a shut down 8IP guy. The reward is HUGE on him and now that he appears to have come down off his $8 million a year guaranteed nonsense on his contract demands he is a lot more appealing to teams. I hope he succeeds. Just in the American League. I can't bear the thought of him shutting down the Dbacks while on the Cubs or Brewers while he's making 2.8 million a year or something.
Either way it'll be an interesting Spring Training.
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I'm still soar about players who bailed on the WBC. I don't think its coincidence that when Webb held out of the WBC because he feared injury that he was then injured for 2 seasons. However, I believe he learned his lesson and perhaps could start to have some decent numbers. I know a great team who could use a 5th starter with a lot to prove...NYY
ReplyDeleteAgree with Nate. Missing out on the WBC was a nail in the coffin to me as a big fan of Webbies. You NEVER turn down an opportunity to play for your country. Ted Willams would never had done that and nobody born before 1970 would have done that.
ReplyDeleteAlong those lines let's not forget Mohommad Ali was a draft dodger. Plus he cheated on his wife. Still not sure what was so great about him as a "person." Is it a coincidence he is in the condition he is? Unfortuante for anyone and he's done ALOT for the research in that disease and others in the same situation but I can't help but think that is God's way or even Uncle Sam's way of saying, "Bad decision."
Finally, Webb got a $3 million guarantee on his deal with the Rangers with $3 million in potential incentives. So the obvious math is if he returns to a semi normal state and pitches a full season he could make $6 million in 2011. He made $8.5 in his last option year with the Dbacks while he was on the DL for 162 games. Risky if you want to throw away $3. Genius if you get 200 ip for $6 million.
Webb going to the cubs would be the worst thing ever. I already hate the Cubs with the passion of a thousand burning suns, and their fans. Then again maybe it would be nice to see the D-Backs pound the ball against him.
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