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« Phillies Exercise Option On Cliff Lee | Main | Marlins Interested In Aroldis Chapman »
Diamondbacks Exercise Option On Brandon Webb
The Diamondbacks exercised their $8.5MM club option on pitcher Brandon Webb, according to MLB.com's Steve Gilbert (via Twitter). The Arizona Republic's Nick Piecoro has comments from Webb and D'Backs GM Josh Byrnes.
The D'Backs had expressed interest in renegotiating and perhaps having an option on Webb beyond 2010, but the pitcher decided to pass. Webb had shoulder surgery in August and expects to be ready for Spring Training. He was one of the game's best and most durable starters prior to the shoulder issues this year.
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aw man
Posted by: JoeyE | November 06, 2009 at 11:19 AM
No-brainer here. If Webb puts together a season that looks in any way like his successful 2008, he will be an absolute bargain at that price.
Posted by: Ruck859 | November 06, 2009 at 11:21 AM
I figure they are signing him to trade him at the deadline to get somethin for him
Posted by: PhukdaPhils | November 06, 2009 at 11:22 AM
I think Webb gets shopped, at $8.5M he is a huge financial risk with his injury and if he strugggles in '10 ARI will get no compensation for him (CBA likely to eliminate FA compensation too), so best to get value now vs paying big money for nothing later.
That said they won't want to "sell low" so expect them to get a mid-career power bat back, and for less money.
Josh Willingham of the Nats is a good fit, especially if Rizzo has the same facination with his former players that Bowden did, it also helps that the Nats are starving for veteran starting pitchers.
Posted by: Eric | November 06, 2009 at 11:24 AM
I figure they are signing him to trade him at the deadline to get somethin for him
Posted by: PhukdaPhils | November 06, 2009 at 11:22 AM
It won't be worth it unless he goes 10-0 and has a ERA of 0.75 :P
Posted by: humannature | November 06, 2009 at 11:31 AM
I also think Webb will get shopped at or near the deadline, but NOT for a Josh Willingham. Come on. There's no good reason to assume Webb's stock will be down based on his reputation prior to the injury. Putting a strong first half together in '10 means the Diamondbacks will command a four-prospect haul for this guy and nothing less. I don't see how a Josh Willingham even fits into the equation.
Posted by: Ruck859 | November 06, 2009 at 11:33 AM
Well, maybe not a "four-prospect haul", but serious value can still be had there. You have to figure that Webb as a free agent will command Burnett-level money, and you also have to figure he's more deserving of that money than Burnett himself.
Posted by: Ruck859 | November 06, 2009 at 11:36 AM
Smart move by the Diamondbacks, I think Webb will come back strong and will regain his dominant stuff, he will probably be one of the most coveted arms at the trade deadline next year.
Posted by: redsox22 | November 06, 2009 at 11:37 AM
No brainer. Probably the most consistently good pitcher in the MLB before his injury. If the D'Backs decide to deal him, they'll get a massive haul.
Posted by: TwinRoyals | November 06, 2009 at 11:39 AM
Let me ask a question; what would it take for the diamondbacks to compete next year?
They had crazy bad luck last year, at least a few of their guys should rebound. Couple smart additions and they might be close.
Posted by: Sparticus | November 06, 2009 at 11:44 AM
Huge gamble. Given the teams financial constraints Webb really needs to have a solid season to justify this signing. 150IP with an ERA around 3.50. Anything less than and it just isn't a good use of resources.
Posted by: bjsguess | November 06, 2009 at 11:49 AM
Its not a huge gamble at all. Remember - there was a 2M buyout if the Dbacks declined the option - so they are really only gambling with 6.5M. Thats peanuts for a guy like webb.
No Brainer move here.
Posted by: qudjy1 | November 06, 2009 at 12:14 PM
Sorry - the buy out is actualy 2.5M - and the risk is only 6M...
You get the idea.
Posted by: qudjy1 | November 06, 2009 at 12:20 PM
$6m for a club that has no free money to spend is a lot. That guys you a guy like the 08 version of Bobby Abreu or Orlando Hudson.
There is no question that if Webb is healthy and pitches for 3/4's of the year that he will be a value. However, his injury was significant and at this point we really just don't know what to expect out of him. I probably do the deal myself but it would be a close call.
Now, if this were the Yanks, Red Sox, Mets, etc I wouldn't hesitate to take the risk. But the huge factor here is the budget constraints in AZ.
Posted by: bjsguess | November 06, 2009 at 12:25 PM
Well - who could AZ go out and get to pitch for 6M a year that could replace Webb? Sure, its a risk - but you have to take it - the reward is worth it.
BTW - Hudson ended up making about 8M, no? Abreu just got 9M per, right?
Posted by: qudjy1 | November 06, 2009 at 12:27 PM
Good move. This was the only way they were going to keep him around and if he's healthy he'll be well worth the money.
Posted by: Papelboner | November 06, 2009 at 12:53 PM
Webb's surgery was NOT serious at all folks. As reported, it was a quick clean-up, nothing was found and all indications are he will be pitching on Opening Day after a normal Spring Training. The D-backs, with major cash issues, would not have picked up his option if they didn't feel he was going to be ready for Opening Day. 180IP and an ERA 3.50 or below should be very much expected. He is likely to be a major trade target (4 prospect package like Lee or CC) if the D-backs fall out of contention by mid June. People forget that going into 2009, he had the most wins in the Big leagues the last 6 years. He will certainly command Burnett $'s considering what AJ got after many, many injuries more serious than one short procedure on Webb. Lilly just had a similar procedure and they expect him back in April and Webb had his done in August. Brandon, by reading the media reports, wants to stay in Arizona long term. Webb, Haren, Scherzer is a heck of a top three in 2010 and beyond.. Look for this team to compete heavily next season. Go D-backs!
Posted by: gardner | November 06, 2009 at 01:00 PM
Only move they could possibly make that was smart. Luckily they came back to their senses. I think he's going to have a great bounce back year.
Posted by: Giantsguy1987 | November 06, 2009 at 03:24 PM
You all act like the D-Backs are signing him to trade him. The D-Backs had horrible luck with injuries and a bullpen going cold for the first half of the season. This is largly the same team that won 90 games two seasons ago. And the D-Backs DO HAVE MONEY TO SPEND this off season. Likely on two veteran setup men to get to Qualls, and a starting pitcher. The D-Backs if they stay healthy WILL LIKELY COMPETE in the NL West next season.
Posted by: Serg Rush | November 06, 2009 at 10:23 PM
Good move right there.
Posted by: melonis rex | November 07, 2009 at 10:16 AM