Brandon Webb ?

[goreds2]

http://cincinnati.com/blogs/sports/2...-mystery-team/

Are the Reds Webb’s mystery team?

Posted by dclark 12/26/10, 1:17 pm

ESPN.com’s Jayson Stark is reporting that Ashland, Ky. native, former University of Kentucky star and free-agent pitcher Brandon Webb will choose between two teams – the Texas Rangers and a still-unidentified mystery team from the NL Central.

From Stark’s story:

Cincinnati has been quietly poking around for a starter with top-of-the-rotation potential, and Webb lives in Kentucky — approximately a 2 1/2-hour drive from Cincinnati. A Reds official recently told the Cincinnati Enquirer the Reds haven’t had any “recent discussions” about Webb.

[mattfeet]

I hope so. Sign him for a low salary, but incentive-laden deal. Low-risk, high-reward. Before too long one of these types of signings is going to pay off for us (Dontrelle Willis, Arredondo, potentially Webb) in a big way.

-Matt

[Hondo]

Originally Posted by mattfeet

I hope so. Sign him for a low salary, but incentive-laden deal. Low-risk, high-reward. Before too long one of these types of signings is going to pay off for us (Dontrelle Willis, Arredondo, potentially Webb) in a big way.

-Matt

I would like Webb and his ground balls very much in GAB...

But I bet it is the Brewers.

[Quatitos]

http://www.jsonline.com/blogs/sports/112307319.html

General manager Doug Melvin tells me the Brewers aren't the "mystery" team involved in the bidding on free-agent right-hander Brandon Webb.

So with the Cubs and Pirates reportedly out as well, that would leave St Louis, the Astros, and the Reds for the mystery team.

http://mlbbuzz.yardbarker.com/blog/m...r_reds/3854993

Per Ken Rosenthal:

Or go with the Reds, whose pitching coach, Bryan Price, and trainer, Paul Lessard, both were with the Diamondbacks for much of Webb's tenure? The Reds' interest in Webb is not confirmed, but Cincinnati is the principal challenger to Texas, according to major-league sources.

And apparently Jayson Stark says "Webb is 'closing in' on a decision."

[malcontent]

Who does he drop from the rotation if he signs? Bailey?

Reds already have a second rotation in Leake, Willis, Maloney, LeCure and Chapman (someday).

IMO, obtaining another starter should be the last thing they should be thinking about. Unless he's a TOR guy, and Webb isn't that any longer.

C'mon Walt, fill a real need. Sign Fred Lewis.

[Nathan]

http://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2010/1...#disqus_thread

[malcontent]

Originally Posted by Nathan

http://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2010/1...#disqus_thread

Good.

[Hondo]

Walt standing pat again... Yes! :thumbdown

[Vottomatic]

Walt, still taking his nap.

[gedred69]

Originally Posted by malcontent

Who does he drop from the rotation if he signs? Bailey?

Reds already have a second rotation in Leake, Willis, Maloney, LeCure and Chapman (someday).

IMO, obtaining another starter should be the last thing they should be thinking about. Unless he's a TOR guy, and Webb isn't that any longer.

C'mon Walt, fill a real need. Sign Fred Lewis.

Total agreement here on the pitching line

[SeeinRed]

Originally Posted by Hondo

Walt standing pat again... Yes! :thumbdown

Are you serious about this? I think it may be sarcasm but I'm not sure. I don't know what part of the Reds reportedly pursuing him and being in the final two means Walt did nothing. Webb did not have near as good of a chance making the starting rotation with the Reds as he does with the Rangers. Its not like the Reds are going to get into a bidding war over a pitcher coming off an injury that took him out for two seasons. Without knowing the terms the Reds reportedly offered, I just don't see how anyone can be that upset over it. If anything, it should show you that Walt is actively trying to find upgrades.

[Eric the Red]

Originally Posted by SeeinRed

Without knowing the terms the Reds reportedly offered, I just don't see how anyone can be that upset over it. If anything, it should show you that Walt is actively trying to find upgrades.

Agree 100%, its not always as easy as getting what you want. A lot of factors come into play. I'm very interested to see the terms of Webb's contract. I'm sure Walt and company (especially Bryan Price) wanted Webb but wanted him at their price and Texas' offer likely made more sense for Webb financially.

[TheBigLebowski]

BWebb got a 1 year deal with Texas. I don't know the terms, but they could not have been that lucrative...likely incentive-based, which would be fine for us.

Webb's still young...31 Y/O...local guy with tremendous upside and a pitching style that fits GABP like a speedo...and the dude paraded around his dr. like a trophy wife during the hot stove meetings in an effort to prove he should fully recover. He would be the perfect guy for us to take a chance on. If it works, we get a TOR guy who throws a lot of ground balls and also gives us a lot of flexibility to deal from our wealth of starting pitching to improve in other areas.....like, say, SS, LF, a legit leadoff guy....maybe a new bullpen arm to replace King Arthur....

It's certainly possible that there is something about Webb we laypeople don't know.....after all, the team with the deepest pockets in the bigs, the Yanks, passed on him when they could have easily out-bid anyone who would have been involved.....but on the surface, given the info I am privy to, I think we might have missed a good opp here.

[Old NDN]

Originally Posted by TheBigLebowski

BWebb got a 1 year deal with Texas. I don't know the terms, but they could not have been that lucrative...likely incentive-based, which would be fine for us.

Webb's still young...31 Y/O...local guy with tremendous upside and a pitching style that fits GABP like a speedo...and the dude paraded around his dr. like a trophy wife during the hot stove meetings in an effort to prove he should fully recover. He would be the perfect guy for us to take a chance on. If it works, we get a TOR guy who throws a lot of ground balls and also gives us a lot of flexibility to deal from our wealth of starting pitching to improve in other areas.....like, say, SS, LF, a legit leadoff guy....maybe a new bullpen arm to replace King Arthur....

It's certainly possible that there is something about Webb we laypeople don't know.....after all, the team with the deepest pockets in the bigs, the Yanks, passed on him when they could have easily out-bid anyone who would have been involved.....but on the surface, given the info I am privy to, I think we might have missed a good opp here.

Agree. It seems the Reds are sitting on their hands when it comes to improving/adding to this club, and HOPING they get better next year ...... while most of the NL Central teams are at least making moves TRYING to improve their teams. Dissapointed.

[757690]

Webb wanted to spot in the rotation, and the Reds are full right now. I think this is less the Reds passing on Webb, and more Webb passing on the Reds. I think if the Reds guaranteed him a spot in the rotation, he would have signed with the Reds. But they couldn't and Texas could, so he signed with Texas.