Westbrook versus Lee

[stitchface]

Assuming the rumors are true, I think Westbrook is clearly the better option. They both give up a lot of baserunners courtesy of a low k rate and moderate walk totals. However, Westbrook has a 3:1 groundball:flyball ratio while Lee's is 0.75. This is very important at Wrigley Field.

[WrigleyField 22]

If it is Westbrook over Lee, I want an extention.

[Ding Dong Johnson]

What rumors? Pardon me, I've been away for a few hours.

[Guest]

What rumors? Pardon me, I've been away for a few hours.

 

 

rotoworld or some such entity was quoted as saying the cubs were talking to cleveland about swapping relievers for Cliff Lee or Jake Westbrook. If the cubs could land a RF, trading Jones to Cleveland might makes sense as well - perhaps getting Jason Michaels in return UK?

[Ding Dong Johnson]

What rumors? Pardon me, I've been away for a few hours.

 

 

rotoworld or some such entity was quoted as saying the cubs were talking to cleveland about swapping relievers for Cliff Lee or Jake Westbrook. If the cubs could land a RF, trading Jones to Cleveland might makes sense as well - perhaps getting Jason Michaels in return UK?

 

Thanks. I guess on the surface I'd prefer Lee for economic reasons, but his tendency for the longball makes me a titch nervous.

[Mephistopheles]

I fully expect Hendry to choose Lee based soley on his 18 wins in 2005.

[Guest]

What rumors? Pardon me, I've been away for a few hours.

 

 

rotoworld or some such entity was quoted as saying the cubs were talking to cleveland about swapping relievers for Cliff Lee or Jake Westbrook. If the cubs could land a RF, trading Jones to Cleveland might makes sense as well - perhaps getting Jason Michaels in return UK?

 

Thanks. I guess on the surface I'd prefer Lee for economic reasons, but his tendency for the longball makes me a titch nervous.

 

yea, I would insist on Westbrook.

[Northsider]

Don't know how much it's worth, but the Indians' most recent Official Website Mailbag Column mentions the idea of perhaps trading Byrd or Westbrook. Lee is not mentioned.

[WrigleyField 22]

Don't know how much it's worth, but the Indians' most recent Official Website Mailbag Column mentions the idea of perhaps trading Byrd or Westbrook. Lee is not mentioned.

 

Westbrook please.

[CaliforniaRaisin]

Westbrook without a doubt.

[Banedon]

Since both names are mentioned, I'm going to guess that Hendry wants Westbrook, and Cleveland is offering Lee.

[vance_the_cubs_fan]

This article sheds some light on why our relievers could be valued enough to get a starter.

 

"There's 23 teams looking for relievers," General Manager Mark Shapiro said.

 

Which means the price is going up.

 

Toronto's Justin Speier, one of the most sought-after relievers on the market, has apparently already swooped past the three-year, $12 million contract Bobby Howry signed with the Cubs last winter. The Indians couldn't afford to keep Howry, their last legitimate setup man, which means Speier is already out of reach.

 

[Banedon]

This article sheds some light on why our relievers could be valued enough to get a starter.

 

"There's 23 teams looking for relievers," General Manager Mark Shapiro said.

 

Which means the price is going up.

 

Toronto's Justin Speier, one of the most sought-after relievers on the market, has apparently already swooped past the three-year, $12 million contract Bobby Howry signed with the Cubs last winter. The Indians couldn't afford to keep Howry, their last legitimate setup man, which means Speier is already out of reach.

 

 

So Hendry created a hilariously expensive reliever market. Got it... :P

[Tracer Bullet]

This article sheds some light on why our relievers could be valued enough to get a starter.

 

"There's 23 teams looking for relievers," General Manager Mark Shapiro said.

 

Which means the price is going up.

 

Toronto's Justin Speier, one of the most sought-after relievers on the market, has apparently already swooped past the three-year, $12 million contract Bobby Howry signed with the Cubs last winter. The Indians couldn't afford to keep Howry, their last legitimate setup man, which means Speier is already out of reach.

 

 

So Hendry created a hilariously expensive reliever market. Got it... :P

 

If he uses that to his advantage and trades Howry & Dempster this year, that would be crafty. But I have doubts.

 

As for the topic at hand - Westbrook please.

[wade]

This article sheds some light on why our relievers could be valued enough to get a starter.

 

"There's 23 teams looking for relievers," General Manager Mark Shapiro said.

 

Which means the price is going up.

 

Toronto's Justin Speier, one of the most sought-after relievers on the market, has apparently already swooped past the three-year, $12 million contract Bobby Howry signed with the Cubs last winter. The Indians couldn't afford to keep Howry, their last legitimate setup man, which means Speier is already out of reach.

 

 

So Hendry created a hilariously expensive reliever market. Got it... :P

 

 

The Detroit Free Press says Tigers' lefty-specialist Jaime Walker might get 4 million a year for three years from someone (probably not Detroit).

 

This looks like a nutso free agent market this winter.

[goonys evil twin]

I could deal with a guy like Westbrook, especially for a reliever.

 

The Yankees should be after him, as that type of pitcher, above average innings eater, could with 25 games with them.

[TheDude]

So Hendry created a hilariously expensive reliever market. Got it... :P

 

The market was in place. Hendry jumped on it very early last year (and the year before) and now has commodities for the effort. GMs understand the marketplace when they make deals, even if the market isn't built on true quality (see Carlos Lee).

 

The middle-relief set-up man market is catching up to the closers market because closers have been tenuous the past few years, and numerous set-up men have had to step-up and and fill the hole.

 

Any set-up guy that gets traded for a starter this offseason is probably viewed as a potential closer, and not just a set-up guy. Closers were making 10 million even two years ago, when set-up guys were making 2 million. Now set-up guys are up to 4 million, and that price will rise still over the next few years.

[abuck1220]

since i prefer westbrook, i'll assume hendry wants lee.

[KingKongvs.Godzilla]

The market was in place. Hendry jumped on it very early last year (and the year before) and now has commodities for the effort. GMs understand the marketplace when they make deals, even if the market isn't built on true quality (see Carlos Lee).

 

I highly doubt Hendry will take advantage of his [expletive] signings.

 

since i prefer westbrook, i'll assume hendry wants lee.

 

Agreed. Lee has WINS!! He obviously knows how to win, cause he somehow does it even with a career ERA over 4.

 

Hendry will love him.

[RynoRules]

Westbrook without a doubt.

 

co-sign

[USSoccer]

Westbrook without a doubt.

 

co-sign

 

echoed.

 

So of course we'll get Lee.

[CoolHandLuke]

Anyone worried about Westbrooks h/9? How is Derosa's range? I don't think I would mind seeing Izturis for Westbrook starts.

[HoopsCubs]

I wonder if Hendry may want a lefty and if he might be looking at this from a financial point of view as well.

 

Righty Westbrook is under contract for $6.1M in 2007 and then becomes a free agent.

 

Lefty Lee is under contract for 3 years at $2.75M in '07, $3.75M in '08 and $5.75M in '09 plus there is a team option in '10 for $8M. Might get decent production for 3 years at a reasonable price.

[RynoRules]

I wonder if Hendry may want a lefty and if he might be looking at this from a financial point of view as well.

 

Righty Westbrook is under contract for $6.1M in 2007 and then becomes a free agent.

 

Lefty Lee is under contract for 3 years at $2.75M in '07, $3.75M in '08 and $5.75M in '09 plus there is a team option in '10 for $8M. Might get decent production for 3 years at a reasonable price.

 

Only problem with that reasoning is that neither Hendry nor Lou is here for the long haul if they don't win this year.

[TheDude]

The market was in place. Hendry jumped on it very early last year (and the year before) and now has commodities for the effort. GMs understand the marketplace when they make deals, even if the market isn't built on true quality (see Carlos Lee).

 

I highly doubt Hendry will take advantage of his [expletive] signings.

 

Thanks for that brilliant insight.