Buzz: Cubs & Nationals Have Interest in Brandon Webb
“The Cubs, with a tight budget and a need for starting pitching, are seriously considering former Cy Young Award winner Brandon Webb,” writes Ed Price of AOL Fanhouse.
Webb has not pitched since Opening Day in 2009 after suffering a shoulder injury, but finished in the top three in Cy Young voting with the Diamondbacks from 2006-2008, and was the winner in 2006.
Price says the Cubs have been in talks with Webb’s agent, who would likely seek an incentive laden contract.
In addition, Bill Ladson of MLB.com says the Nationals will speak with Webb at the winter meetings next week, and are a strong possibility for him.
Webb, along with someone like Chris Young are pitchers I would expect the Mets to be interested in this winter – guys who will take short term commitments with high upside in order to not lock themselves into any high priced, long term contracts beyond 2011.
Last week, Mets GM Sandy Alderson said the Mets will not sign Cliff Lee, but indicated the Mets will be interested in mid-level free agents.
With the lack of payroll flexibility and the thin market for starting pitching this winter, the options are not exactly fancy for the Mets, but they conceivably wait for the non-tenders to come on the market this week, which could expand their potential options for the starting rotation. To complicate the matter more, there is a tremendous amount of uncertainty surrounding when Johan Santana returns, and what he might be when he returns. There is going to have to be a lot of creativity in the moves Alderson and his group make this winter, and once again, a lot of faith in the potential of their current roster.
By the way, the non-tender deadline to offer contracts to unsigned players is Thursday.
