Jake Westbrook Rumors

Indians May Look At Pavano As Backup Plan

If Jake Westbrook isn't fully recovered from Tommy John surgery in time to start the 2010 season, Paul Hoynes of the Cleveland Plain-Dealer proposes that the Tribe might turn to a familiar face --- free-agent starter Carl Pavano.The Indians want at least one veteran to anchor their young starting rotation, and if Westbrook comes out of his Puerto Rican winter league starts at less than 100 percent, that will leave the combustible Fausto Carmona as Cleveland's default ace. By signing Pavano, the Tribe would be bringing back an experienced arm who had a 3.83::1 strikeout-to-walk ratio in 21 starts in...   Continue Reading

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Indians Rumors: Debt, Shapiro, Wedge

Terry Pluto of The Cleveland Plain Dealer sat down for a chat with Indians team president Paul Dolan and some other front office personnel. Lots of interesting information came to light, so let's dig in... Dolan indicated that the team was $16MM in the red in July and headed towards $20MM. The trades of Cliff Lee, Victor Martinez, and Carl Pavano bring that number down to about $12MM. Jake Westbrook's injury will actually save the team money because insurance will cover about 50% of his $11MM salary. Had the Tribe not made any moves at the deadline, they would have...   Continue Reading

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Odds & Ends: Chapman, Pirates, Westbrook

Some more links to go along with what's been a slow Sunday thus far: If you haven't already, take a look at Jorge Arangure Jr.'s article on Aroldis Chapman. Arangure covers Chapman's journey and the decisions and sacrifices that he made when he defected from the Cuban national team. There are also two videos (one Insider only) to go along with the story. It's lengthy, but a great read. Peter Abraham offers a cautionary note regarding Chapman: "...keep in mind that the same things were being said about Jose Contreras and he’s just another guy at this point. There’s a...   Continue Reading

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Have Injuries Knocked Tigers, Indians Out Of Contention?

Frustration continues to mount as both the Indians and Tigers lost a key starter to injury this week. Jeremy Bonderman is out with a blood clot, and Jake Westbrook will undergo Tommy John surgery; both pitchers are likely out for the season. Since these two teams where once considered favorites to contend for the AL Central crown, it seems highly implausible that they would forfeit the season in early June. So, dear readers, what options do these two teams have? Do they trade for pitching and hope their offenses carry them through? Do they try to spark their offense via...   Continue Reading

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Westbrook Gets Three-Year Extension

According to MLB.com, the Indians have extended starter Jake Westbrook through the 2010 season, with no option years. PECOTA would only offer about $25MM to the groundballer, but Baseball Digest Daily reports the amount as $33MM. That's on par with Javier Vazquez's recent extension. The deal is clearly a hometown discount; Cleveland journalists had speculated that he'd get at least four years and $12MM annually. That still leaves C.C. Sabathia and Travis Hafner as the team's major upcoming free agents. That's not until after the 2008 season though. It has been said that Carlos Zambrano's contract could serve as a..   Continue Reading

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Tribe Has Decisions To Make

Paul Hoynes of the Cleveland Plain Dealer has a well thought out column up today regarding the possible market value of Jake Westbrook, Travis Hafner, and C.C. Sabathia. Westbrook would hit free agency after this season; the other two after '08. His take on Westbrook: four or five years at $12.5MM annually. Westbrook's agent has yet to speak with Mark Shapiro. Sheldon Ocker of the Akron Beacon-Journal weighs in at five years and $15MM annually. You can bet Travis Hafner wouldn't be underrated on the open market, even as a DH. Pronk could hit 50 HR this year. Hoynes thinks..   Continue Reading

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Indians News: Foulke, Mulder, Westbrook

Paul Hoynes of the Cleveland Plain Dealer checks in with various Tribe updates. Keith Foulke still has to take his physical; the Indians probably won't reach an agreement until next week. Foulke would team with Joe Borowski to take the eighth and ninth innings, which neither pitching three days in a row. The Indians are waiting to hear back from Mark Mulder's agent on their reported two-year offer. Should Mulder be signed and ready in May or June, it might allow for a trade. Paul Byrd, Cliff Lee, or Jake Westbrook could be dealt to clear space. There's also a..   Continue Reading

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Cubs Info From Bruce Levine

Bruce Levine of ESPN 1000 has some new Cubs info for us. He reports that the Cubs have asked the Indians about a possible deal involving Cliff Lee or Jake Westbrook in exchange for relief pitching. In addition, the Cubs may consider Ray Durham as a source of power for second base   Continue Reading

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Available Starting Pitchers: The Horses

One very important aspect in a starting pitcher is the ability to go deep into games. Teams can avoid resorting to inferior middle relievers if the starter can consistently pitch seven innings. Only two starters this year - Brandon Webb and Roy Halladay - are averaging seven innings per start. Neither of those guys will be available this winter. Let's take a look at some starters who are available and can save bullpens. Jason Schmidt, in addition to being one of the NL's best this year, has averaged 6.83 innings per start. The 33 year-old is destined for one of..   Continue Reading

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Diamondbacks Trade Rumor: Jake Westbrook

According to the Cleveland Plain Dealer, the Diamondbacks are interested in acquiring Jake Westbrook. The 28 year-old righty is 5th in baseball with a 2.93 groundball/flyball ratio. The leader, of course, is Brandon Webb at 3.15. Miguel Batista is also in the top 20. Perhaps Josh Byrnes plans on assembling a groundball-heavy pitching staff to match up with Orlando Hudson and the rest of his defensively sound infield. If so, Byrnes could also target Cory Lidle now or in the offseason. Their reported interest in Dontrelle Willis fits into this agenda as well. I would guess that a deal for..   Continue Reading

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