Rangers Sign Brandon Webb (p. 10)

[UMFan83]

If Brandon Webb never got hurt and continued pitching at the level he was at prior to the injuries, he'd be making whatever Cliff Lee's contract is going to be look like a bargain. If we can get him for $7 million it would be a big risk, but it would also be a monumental pay off if he returns to form

 

EDIT: fwiw, Webb's WAR before the injuries...

 

2008: 6.0

2007: 6.9

2006: 7.0

2005: 5.3

2004: 3.1

2003: 4.8

 

Using FanGraph's Salary/Dollars stat, just for fun, he has made a total of $13.6 million while providing a performance valued at $121.5 million. I'd be more inclined to take a risk on someone like him

 

Exactly, his last 4 healthy years he produced WARs higher than Zambrano's highest career WAR (4.9)

 

His WARs 06 and 07 were better than both Cy Young winners this year. Definitely a risk. The injuries are a significant concern, we might sign him and then in 2 years feel like the money is completely wasted. But the reward is worth it, and it's not completely illogical for a 30 year old pitcher to rise above injuries and have a few more peak or near peak years left in him.

[treebird]

given our budgetary restrictions, webb isn't low-risk/high-reward if he costs 7 million dollars. there's no way we should touch that.

[Dr. Cub]

Those numbers are awfully pretty. On a one year deal with a team option for the second year, I wouldn't mind "finding" the money if possible.

[Northside Blues]

^ This. Thats more like paying ten dollars for a five dollar lotto ticket.

[Dr. Cub]

^ This. Thats more like paying ten dollars for a five dollar lotto ticket.

 

Well that's pretty in depth and factual.

[Northside Blues]

I was referring to Treeman. Thanks for the mindless insult though.

[Old Style]

I was referring to Treeman. Thanks for the mindless insult though.

Welcome to NSBB. Hope you enjoy your stay here.

[jersey cubs fan]

Maybe Rothschild can make him an ace again.

 

Losing Larry really makes me sad, and I don't know why.

 

Neither do I. He didn't have this magic touch. The Cubs invested heavily in young pitching starting in the mid-90's and it paid off in the Rothschild era. He played a role, but he didn't turn a bunch of nobodies into stars.

[Clem Fandango]

GM Mike Rizzo told Adam Kilgore of the Washington Post that he met with Brandon Webb's agent this week (Twitter link). The Nationals believe the right-hander is healthy. The Cubs and Rangers have interest in Webb, but the Brewers aren't currently interested.

[vance_the_cubs_fan]

Sheets was in a similar situation and was able to get a 1 yr 10 million dollar deal from Oakland. My guess is that Webb will look for something similar.

[SouthSideRyan]

Sheets only missed one full season and did not turn out well for the A's. I don't know if Webb's clean health record prior to the past 2 non-seasons helps him or hurts him.

[davearm2]

Sheets was in a similar situation and was able to get a 1 yr 10 million dollar deal from Oakland. My guess is that Webb will look for something similar.

I strongly doubt the Cubs have another 1 yr 10 million dollar card to play this winter.

[Guest]

Sheets was in a similar situation and was able to get a 1 yr 10 million dollar deal from Oakland. My guess is that Webb will look for something similar.

I strongly doubt the Cubs have another 1 yr 10 million dollar card to play this winter.

 

You say that, yet they are talking to Webb's agent and listening in on Mike Young and getting the team name printed up in just about every other players news reports.

 

Maybe Hendry is just forcing teams to up their offers. Weird.

[jersey cubs fan]

Sheets was in a similar situation and was able to get a 1 yr 10 million dollar deal from Oakland. My guess is that Webb will look for something similar.

I strongly doubt the Cubs have another 1 yr 10 million dollar card to play this winter.

 

You say that, yet they are talking to Webb's agent and listening in on Mike Young and getting the team name printed up in just about every other players news reports.

 

Maybe Hendry is just forcing teams to up their offers. Weird.

 

Or maybe they are dumping Fukudome.

[dew1679666265]

Sheets was in a similar situation and was able to get a 1 yr 10 million dollar deal from Oakland. My guess is that Webb will look for something similar.

I strongly doubt the Cubs have another 1 yr 10 million dollar card to play this winter.

 

We're only paying Pena $5 mil this year, so that may open up some more room for $5-10 mil for Webb this year.

[Cubswin11]

Webb is the Cubs #1 priority pitching wise according to Sullivan. Which is good to hear, I like the idea of Garza for the right price but in the article it says he will cost 3 top prospects so that's a negative.

 

The Cubs leave the winter meetings on Thursday having accomplished their primary objective of finding a first baseman, and now have turned their focus to pitching.

 

Brandon Webb remains their No. 1 target, and the Cubs reportedly are one of the top two or three teams on the former Diamondbacks ace's list. But the Cubs still have to check out his medical records after Webb missed all but one start the last two seasons. He's coming off shoulder surgery, but may be ready to pitch this spring.

 

General manager Jim Hendry also met with Tampa Bay officials Wednesday night, leading to speculation that starter Matt Garza is on their radar. But a deal is unlikely and Rays executives were amused by the speculation.

 

Photo: Brandon Webb went 22-7 for the Diamondbacks in 2008. (Getty Images)

 

"Matt Garza will be pitching for us," Rays manager Joe Maddon told the St. Petersburg Times.

 

The Cubs would have to part with three top prospects to pull off a deal. Garza made $3.35 million last year and stands to get a significant raise in arbitration. The Cubs have one or two openings in the rotation, depending on the health of Carlos Silva.

 

"We're exploring every possibility," Hendry said.

 

The Cubs have pitching depth in the system but are reluctant to part with Andrew Cashner or their top prospect, Chris Archer. Rumors that the Cubs may be in the mix for Kansas City ace Zach Greinke were shot down by one source.

http://www.chicagobreakingsports.com/2010/12/webb-could-be-cubs-next-addition.html

[dew1679666265]

Pena, Webb, Davis and O'Day is a pretty solid offseason, considering our budget constraints.

[Cubs Fan Dan]

Pena, Webb, Davis and O'Day is a pretty solid offseason, considering our budget constraints.

 

I agree does anyone else not understand why people do not think this team would compete for 1st in the central?

 

Castro

Fukudome

Ramirez

Pena

Soto

Byrd

Soriano

DeWitt

 

Dempster

Zambrano

Wells

Webb

Silva/Gorz/Archer/Cashner

 

Marmol, Marshall, Guzman, Cashner, Russel, O'Day/Frasier/FA

 

That team looks plenty capable of sticking with the Reds and the Cardinals.

[dew1679666265]

I agree does anyone else not understand why people do not think this team would compete for 1st in the central?

 

Castro

Fukudome

Ramirez

Pena

Soto

Byrd

Soriano

DeWitt

 

Dempster

Zambrano

Wells

Webb

Silva/Gorz/Archer/Cashner

 

Marmol, Marshall, Guzman, Cashner, Russel, O'Day/Frasier/FA

 

That team looks plenty capable of sticking with the Reds and the Cardinals.

 

It depends on injuries and whether guys meet expectations. All teams deal with that, but it's especially big for us. If Soriano gets hurt or is a .750 OPS guy, Ramirez is on and off the DL and Webb gets hurt or is ineffective after two years off, this team will likely struggle to contend.

 

If Soriano can bounce back a bit, Ramirez can stay healthy and Webb can regain any of his previous form, this team could be pretty good. How Pena bounces back will determine a lot as well – whether he's 2010 Pena, 2009 Pena or 2008 Pena.

 

I tend to think there are just too many questions that have to go right for us to be serious contenders, but it's not out of the realm of possibility.

[jersey cubs fan]

I agree does anyone else not understand why people do not think this team would compete for 1st in the central?

 

I'm actually having a tough time understanding this sentence.

 

But I've thought all along this team could compete in the NL Central, namely because it is the NL Central.

[shnsajax]

I agree does anyone else not understand why people do not think this team would compete for 1st in the central?

 

I'm actually having a tough time understanding this sentence.

 

But I've thought all along this team could compete in the NL Central, namely because it is the NL Central.

 

I think they can compete, but yeah its because its the Central.

[Guest]

Brandon Webb was absolutely my favorite pitcher pre-shoulder injury. I really don't know how I feel about them signing him post-shoulder injury. Cautiously optimistic, I suppose. If he rebounds to what he was before the injury, they should have the money to lock him up for several years. So that would be a bonus. If he doesn't pan out, not that much harm done.

 

If the price is right, I favor Garza. Well, actually both if it could be worked out. But, I'm not holding out hope.

[Little Slide Rooter]

I agree does anyone else not understand why people do not think this team would compete for 1st in the central?

 

I'm actually having a tough time understanding this sentence.

 

But I've thought all along this team could compete in the NL Central, namely because it is the NL Central.

 

I think they can compete, but yeah its because its the Central.

 

Cubs could be a very good team if a lot of things go right:

 

Zambrano has to be an ace and not a side show

the remains of Brandon Webb have to be successfully reanimated

Monster walk years from Aramis and Pena

repeat of 2010 from Byrd

Soriano to earn his money

Soto, Castro, and Colvin to be the 1st successful trio of farm grown Cubs position players since Banks, Williams, and Santo

Blake Dewitt reaches his ceiling of an OK ballplayer

Koyie Hill doesnt make it past spring training

A solid bullpen with Marmol, Marshall, Guzman and maybe O Day

 

If all of this happens, we might just have ourselves a ballclub.

[MSG T]

I agree does anyone else not understand why people do not think this team would compete for 1st in the central?

 

I'm actually having a tough time understanding this sentence.

 

But I've thought all along this team could compete in the NL Central, namely because it is the NL Central.

 

I think they can compete, but yeah its because its the Central.

 

Cubs could be a very good team if a lot of things go right:

 

Zambrano has to be an ace and not a side show

the remains of Brandon Webb have to be successfully reanimated

Monster walk years from Aramis and Pena

repeat of 2010 from Byrd

Soriano to earn his money

Soto, Castro, and Colvin to be the 1st successful trio of farm grown Cubs position players since Banks, Williams, and Santo

Blake Dewitt reaches his ceiling of an OK ballplayer

Koyie Hill doesnt make it past spring training

A solid bullpen with Marmol, Marshall, Guzman and maybe O Day

 

If all of this happens, we might just have ourselves a ballclub.

 

If number 2 and 3 happen, the Cubs will compete for the Central crown. Add in you last one and Cubs have a fine team. Soriano will never be worth his contract, I just hope for his complete suckiness to be delayed as long as possible. The rest of what you listed only need to be decent, not great.

[XZero771679666304]

I agree does anyone else not understand why people do not think this team would compete for 1st in the central?

 

I'm actually having a tough time understanding this sentence.

 

But I've thought all along this team could compete in the NL Central, namely because it is the NL Central.

 

I think they can compete, but yeah its because its the Central.

 

Cubs could be a very good team if a lot of things go right:

 

Zambrano has to be an ace and not a side show

the remains of Brandon Webb have to be successfully reanimated

Monster walk years from Aramis and Pena

repeat of 2010 from Byrd

Soriano to earn his money

Soto, Castro, and Colvin to be the 1st successful trio of farm grown Cubs position players since Banks, Williams, and Santo

Blake Dewitt reaches his ceiling of an OK ballplayer

Koyie Hill doesnt make it past spring training

A solid bullpen with Marmol, Marshall, Guzman and maybe O Day

 

If all of this happens, we might just have ourselves a ballclub.

 

If number 2 and 3 happen, the Cubs will compete for the Central crown. Add in you last one and Cubs have a fine team. Soriano will never be worth his contract, I just hope for his complete suckiness to be delayed as long as possible. The rest of what you listed only need to be decent, not great.

 

Yeah, if all of that were to happen, the Cubs would win 110 games.

 

But it won't.