D’Backs Pulled Webb’s Extension Offer
10:30am: MLB.com’s Steve Gilbert says it would’ve been a three-year, $54MM extension for Webb with an option for 2014. The two sides actually agreed on the years and dollar amount, but some other point of contention caused the talks to be tabled. Perhaps no-trade clause details? Webb will become a 10-and-5 player in 2013.
9:20am: Nick Piecoro of the Arizona Republic talked to D’Backs ace Brandon Webb, who said he had an extension agreement with the team in June. However, the Diamondbacks pulled the offer. It would’ve been a three-year extension to keep Webb with the team through 2013. Dan Haren recently signed through 2012 with an option for ’13. Webb and Haren form one of the game’s top 1-2 punches.
Webb and GM Josh Byrnes still seem open to hammering out a deal, perhaps in the offseason.
Odds and Ends: Lowe, Arroyo, Chacon
Here’s today’s link roundup.
- Jacque Jones has elected free agency. Does he have anything left?
- Derek Lowe, Scott Boras, Ned Colletti, and Joe Torre had some kind of cryptic meeting.
- Draft nugget: the D’Backs were eyeing Allan Dykstra as their first-round pick until the Padres took him.
- Jason Rosenberg interviewed agent Matt Sosnick.
- Bronson Arroyo commented on the recent trade rumors. I think this rumor, in particular.
- Shawn Chacon, demoted to the pen, is not a happy camper.
- Koji Uehara is also going to the bullpen.
- Brandon Webb was affected by his contract negotiations.
- ESPN’s Keith Law joined the Drunk Jays Fans podcast to chat about the recent turmoil in Toronto.
- Joe Saunders, originally drafted by the Phillies, had a bad experience (as he tells it).
Webb Extension Talks Tabled
According to MLB.com’s Steve Gilbert, the Diamondbacks’ extension talks with ace Brandon Webb are on hold for now. That’s pretty much all that is known. It’s unclear how far the talks got or who killed them.
Webb, 29, has never posted an ERA higher than 3.59 in any season. He is simply a beast. The D’Backs and Webb have plenty of time to work out an extension, since he’s essentially signed cheaply through 2010. Random thought – I wonder if Webb will be affected at all if Orlando Hudson leaves as a free agent after this season.
Rosenthal’s Full Count: Bonds, Webb, Hanley
Let’s hit up Ken Rosenthal’s latest Full Count video:
- Rosenthal thinks the Tigers should sign Barry Bonds. Sure, Detroit already has too many DHs, and Bonds wouldn’t help their need for improved defense and speed, but they absolutely need another lefthanded bat. Rosenthal points out that the team is 11-20 in games started by RHP. As for the fear of a clubhouse problem, Gary Sheffield – who has feuded with Bonds in the past – has no problem and I would presume that the other players, particularly veterans, on the Tigers would echo that sentiment.
- The 3-year contract extension for Brandon Webb does not have "a lot of momentum." Like Jake Peavy last year, Webb is looking for around 3 years, 52 million despite being 2 years older than Peavy.
- KR loves the Hanley deal. It keeps them from having to deal another player before his contract becomes too expensive and that there shouldn’t be any concern for Hanley’s production to drop off.
By Nat Boyle
Odds And Ends: Benitez, David Wells, Delgado
And for my first trick: My very first Odds and Ends.
- The Toronto Star’s aptly named Blue Jays blog reports the team placed Vernon Wells on the 15-day DL, and they expect him to be out six to eight weeks after fracturing his left wrist during Friday night’s game. The Jay’s also placed reliever Jeremy Accardo on the 15-day DL with a strained right forearm. As replacements, the Jays will call up infielder Joe Inglett and veteran hurler Armando Benitez. With Wells out, do the Jays re-enter the Barry Bonds speculation market?
- David Wells in Pinstripes? No deal says Joe Girardi. Wells did look comfy during a recent appearance on the not-aptly-called Best Damn Sports Show Period.
- Mets manager Willie Randolph had penciled slugger Carlos Delgado in the seventh spot before Friday’s game against the Reds (postponed due to rain), marking the lowest spot he’s been slotted at in 12 years. Delgado didn’t see it as a demotion, but still, in light of the recent talk about his release, it raises eyebrows. For the record, Delgado is 6-20 in the last six games, with two doubles, a home run, and four RBI.
When not being a bitter nostalgic journalist, Alejandro Leal writes for UmpBump.com
Webb, Haren Extensions Possible
FRIDAY: SI.com’s Jon Heyman expects the D’Backs to attempt an extension with Dan Haren once they complete Webb’s. Heyman says Haren "won’t get Webb money, but he’ll get a significant raise on a deal that will likely be another Desert Discount."
THURSDAY: When you have one of the top three pitchers in baseball, you’ve got to lock him down. Especially if you’re the Arizona Diamondbacks, a team rife with young talent that could keep the team successful for years to come. The team has been talking with ace Brandon Webb about an extension to his deal, which essentially runs through 2010. They’re not quite there yet, but things are looking positive.
"Yeah, some progress has been made," Webb said. "We’ve been talking a little bit more. We’ve made some headway. We’ll see where it goes."
Webb, who has won the Cy Young and finished second in voting in the past two years, is set to earn $5.5MM this year and $6.5MM in 2009, with a 2010 team option for $8.5MM which, barring injury, will surely be exercised. As far as I can tell, 2010 represents the first year he would be eligible for free agency — he had 4.158 years of service time after the 2007 season (four years, 158 days).
Word is that the D’Backs are looking to add at least three years to that deal. At what price, though? AZ Central notes two excellent deals for comparison: Johan Santana‘s $22MM salary, and Jake Peavy‘s $17.3MM take home pay. My guess is that a deal would be geared more towards the latter.
The D’Backs tried to get a deal done early last off-season, but were rebuffed by Webb. I would guess, then, that the team is ready to fork over the dollars at this point. Webb is off to another superb start, sitting on a 7-0 record with a 2.49 ERA.
Posted by Joe Pawlikowski, who writes for River Ave. Blues, a Yankees blog.
Peavy Extension Could Be Model For Webb
Nick Piecoro of the Arizona Republic reports that the Diamondbacks may use Jake Peavy’s new three-year extension with the Padres as a guideline for their ace, Brandon Webb. Webb recently rejected a three-year proposal from Arizona.
Peavy is to receive roughly $50MM for the three-year extension. Webb will earn only $20.5MM over the 2008-10 seasons.
Odds and Ends: Livan, Bartlett, Willis, Webb
Random pieces of rumorage…
- The Mets have expressed interest in Livan Hernandez, though he appears to be their Plan C or D.
- Jim Bowden and the Nats will be active in the trade market, perhaps finally pulling the trigger on deals for Chad Cordero and/or Jon Rauch.
- The Rays and Twins have had discussions about shortstop Jason Bartlett. Would a 1 for 1 trade for Rocco Baldelli make sense? Buster Olney believes the Rays should consider trading for the Nats’ Cristian Guzman.
- Update on the Rockies’ reliever situation. They’re probably going to pass on Ron Mahay and Jeremy Affeldt, while they should hear Matt Herges‘ decision today. Ron Villone is also in their sights.
- The D’Backs will no longer look at annual payroll. Instead, they have a three-year budget to spend. This may allow for a higher payroll in 2008 than 2009. Jack Magruder guesses the number is around $230-240MM for 2008-10.
- Speaking of Arizona, Nick Piecoro of the Arizona Republic believes some kind of Carlos Gonzalez for Dontrelle Willis swap could make sense. Another D’Back note – they offered an extension to Brandon Webb for 2011-13, but he turned down their offer.
- The Scott Linebrink signing is done, and he gets some kind of no-trade protection.