As a pitcher that could be traded for? The AL Central is deep and Cleveland could be strong and still finish 4. Jake Westbrook is a FA after this year and if I recall correctly, we nearly had him last season before talks fell through.
From FOX SPORTS:
The Indians, deep in pitching prospects and mindful of future budgets, probably will offer Westbrook a three-year extension between $27 million and $30 million.
The pitcher with the most similar statistical profile to Westbrook, according to baseball-reference.com, is Cubs right-hander Jason Marquis, who signed a three-year, $21 million free-agent contract coming off his worst season.
The pitcher who is third most similar to Westbrook, Reds righty Bronson Arroyo, recently received a two-year, $25 million extension that will cover his first two free-agent years in 2009 and '10.
The $12.5 million average might be closer to what Westbrook would command on the open market, considering that Royals righty Gil Meche, a less accomplished pitcher, signed for an $11 million average as a free agent.
$12 million on the open market seems pretty steep, but if he could be traded for and the Cards were given 72 hours to work an extention do you think he could be had? The Tribe is stocked with pitching prospects and some mid level players may be all it takes.
I'll admit to being very intrigued by Westbrook. He's proven durable (3 straight years, 30 GS), effective (ERA+'s of 134, 91, and 107 in those three years), and while some will point to his high hit total last year, his BABIP was huge- something likely to come down. He's proven all of that while pitching in the American League, and specifically in the AL Central against buzzsaw lineups like the Tigers last year, and the Twins and White Sox the last few years.
They won't offer him up in ST, and they won't come in at a trade deadline deal because they will be winning the division, or darn close. I like Westbrook, but I don't see anything happening there.
I like the Indians, but with the Sox, Twins, and Tigers in that division, they could win 85 games plus and still finish 4th. I meant in my first post at the trade deadline. I know they wont deal him in spring.
valley_card22 wrote:I like the Indians, but with the Sox, Twins, and Tigers in that division, they could win 85 games plus and still finish 4th. I meant in my first post at the trade deadline. I know they wont deal him in spring.
If they are out of it he'd be a guy they would shop, and a guy I'd be interested in. I'm betting the Indians breakout this year, and will be buyers come July.
valley_card22 wrote:I like the Indians, but with the Sox, Twins, and Tigers in that division, they could win 85 games plus and still finish 4th. I meant in my first post at the trade deadline. I know they wont deal him in spring.
If they solve their bullpen situation in any way, the Indians are better than those teams. They can hit with any of them. They can pitch with any of them. They finished -11 vs. their pythagorean record last year, and I think they're better than they played last year.
