Is Westbrook someone we should target?
Posted: March 8 07, 9:46 am
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:
$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.
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.