Not To Get Caught Up In Offseason Talk Yet, But Could Brandon Webb Be a Yankee?
August 12, 2009 · Doug Rush · Jump to comments
Article Source: Bleacher Report - New York Yankees
This might be looking into the winter offseason a little too soon, but it can never hurt to speculate right?
This is one thing we know.
Brandon Webb has been one of the best starting pitchers in the National League since his rookie year in 2003. He has pitched no fewer than 180 innings and won a Cy Young Award in 2006. In 2008, he became a 20 game winner, going 22-7 for Arizona.
Then, in April of this year, he made his first start and only lasted four innings. Webb hasn’t been back since and needed surgery on his right shoulder, which has knocked him out for the season.
So with this in mind, does the Arizona front office pick up Webb’s $8.5 million dollar option for 2010? Or do they choose not to because of his shoulder trouble?
Entering next season, Webb will be 31, and Arizona is nowhere near being a contender just yet. But he is still one of the leagues premier pitchers, and if he hits the market, he can be an attractive option for a big-market ballclub.
Last night, on Buster Olney’s ESPN blog, he suggested that if the Diamondbacks don’t pick up Webb’s option, the Yankees could be a team that might take a gamble on him.
If I am Brian Cashman, I would monitor Webb’s status and availability very closely, because if he does hit the market, he would be a gamble worth taking.
The last time the Yankees took a gamble on an injured starting pitcher was Jon Lieber in 2003. The Yankees signed Lieber to a two-year deal, knowing he was recovering from arm surgery in 2003, and would be ready to go in 2004.
The reward: Lieber went 14-8 for the Yankees and was their number two starter in the postseason. But, the Yankees let Lieber walk away, another move that was criticized heavily by the media.
So if the Yankees were willing to take that risk back in 2003, are they willing to take the same risk in 2009 for a guy like Webb who may be better?
Webb is dependable for 200 plus innings and at least 15 wins. A CY Young winner in 2006, and whom finished second in voting the last two seasons.
He also has big game experience. In Arizona’s playoff appearance in 2007, Webb pitched very well against the Cubs and pitched decent against the Rockies.
Now, all this speculation could be for nothing if Arizona does bring Webb back. But if Arizona decides against it, Webb could ask for big time money, and teams like the Yankees, Red Sox, Dodgers, Angels and Mets could be interested.
Some critics and Yankees haters will say the Yankees are just throwing their money out there and buying stars.
The Yankees do have the money, but if they are going to spend it, spend it on quality and not garbage like Carl Pavano, Jaret Wright and Kei Igawa. If they’re going to spend, Brandon Webb is the type of investment you make.
Plus, can you really fault the players for wanting to come to the Yankees, knowing they always put together a playoff contending team every season? And can you really fault the Yankees for giving their fans a team worth watching and worth coming to the ballpark every night to watch and enjoy?
The Mets have done anything but that in 2009, and they too opened up a new stadium just like the Yankees that was very expensive to construct.
If the Yankees do decide to pursue Webb, there will those critics who say he will get beaten up if he moves to the American League. They would be wrong.
Webb is a sinker-ball pitcher and would generate a lot of ground ball outs rather than fly ball outs. His way of pitching might be effective in the new Yankee Stadium.
The downside of this could be Webb’s age along with his recent injury history.
But maybe we are looking too far ahead. Free agency begins after the playoffs end. If the Yankees have success and make a deep run, maybe Webb be needed after all.
But if the Yankees continue their recent playoff struggles, and Chien-Ming Wang never returns to his old form, GM Brian Cashman may have no choice.
It could be a long shot, but with the Yankees, nothing is impossible for them – even Brandon Webb.
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