“The Decision” May Have Cost LeBron James In More Ways Than One
July 20, 2010While We’re Waiting… Tribe Post-Decision, Browns Scouting, and More Matt Barnes
July 21, 2010
Most of the current Indians fall neatly into one of two fairly defined camps: those who are worth keeping and those who should be traded to contenders for prospects. It’s obvious that the Indians would love to trade Peralta, Kearns, and Wood to any team that would take them. Santana, Cabrera, Choo et. al. are obvious pieces that must stay with the team into the next contending cycle.
But Jake Westbrook provides an interesting dilemma for the Indians, especially considering the recent revelation that he has a clause in his contract that will escalate his contract by $2 million (plus a pro-rated $1 million) if he is traded this year. That means that if he stays with the Indians, he’s owed less than $4 million for the rest of the season, but if he’s traded, that figure jumps to about $6 million.
That sound you just heard is the wind coming out of the sails of the “SELL NOW” campaign.
For one, teams that have significant payroll issues like the Dodgers and Mets will be less likely to want to take on the additional salary for a guy who has been, for all intents and purposes, a rather average pitcher. Second, it’s increasingly unlikely that Westbrook will qualify as a Type B free agent, meaning that any team that takes him can’t count on draft pick compensation if/when he signs elsewhere this offseason. In other words, Jake Westbrook isn’t quite the prize that he’s made out to be. A desperate contender may still want to give up a decent prospect for him, but with the escalator clause and no draft compensation, he’s less desirable than he would otherwise be.
According to John Harper of the NY Daily News, the Indians “would trade Westbrook in a minute for a mid-level prospect if the Mets would pick up most of what’s left on his contract this season.” But Terry Pluto suggested that the Indians “are sending out messages that they don’t simply intend to dump Westbrook’s salary,” and will have to be compelled to move him. Who knows which guy is right, but I tend to trust Terry on these matters.
Let’s look at this from the Indians’ perspective. If they trade Westbrook, they can offer to pay his remaining salary (more than it would cost to have him pitch for the Indians, due to the escalator clause) in an attempt to pry a decent prospect from another team like the Mets or Dodgers. While I find this fairly unlikely considering that we’re dead last in MLB attendance–and might not want to pay more than we would to keep him–it’s certainly an option. That is, after all, how we got Carlos Santana for Casey Blake.
On the other hand, they could simply dump his salary on any team willing to pay the $6 million, and get very little back in the way of prospects–ala Paul Byrd.
The third option, obviously, is to keep Westbrook for the remainder of the season. If the Indians can’t afford to pay him more to play elsewhere than he’d make here, I’d prefer they just keep him. It’s not like this club is overflowing with pitchers who are ready to step into an MLB rotation, and those who are ready might benefit from a veteran presence like Westbrook. Even though the offensive picture is starting to become clearer for next season, we’re still a long way from a contending rotation. Unless we can get a piece from Westbrook that will change that, I’d prefer to let him finish what he started. And considering that Peralta and Wood will both be off the books next season, we might even have the scratch to sign Jake again (not that we can’t trade him and re-sign him anyway). I say keep him around for this season, considering that the returns are likely to be meager.
Unless, of course, the Dodgers have another phenom prospect they’re looking to unload for a bearded veteran. Then I might change my mind.
19 Comments
Geesh… keep the guy, just because I’ve come to like him over the years. On a team of brand new players, it’s nice to have a guy I know on the team. If they dump him to save cash (while they’re paying Wood $10.5 million and Hafner $11.5 million), my brain will explode!
I’m with you, Robbie. It’s kind of nice to have one familiar face on the team (besides Hafner that is).
John Harper is the source of all knowledge. He is the one that broke the story about Carmona getting traded to the Mets before it happened.
Wait, we’re not shopping a good pitcher with a team-friendly contract that is locked in for the next 4 seasons? Who knew.
I agree, I’ll believe Terry on this one.
——————————–
I would actually really like our pitching depth if we re-signed Jake this offseason. In fact, if the Yankees want to trade for him now, they’ll dump him this offseason when they can go after Cliff Lee for just $$$, and who knows, maybe we get him back.
In related news, Andy Pettite is on the DL and does not have a definitive time-table on his return.
@1 – they wouldn’t necessarily be dumping Jake to save cash. As noted, he’s a FA who likely won’t return draft compensation this offseason.
So, getting a prospect or two for him now and then still pursuing him this offseason for a reasonable salary is actually a very prudent thing to do.
1. we get something in return if he does elect to take his talents to south beach (or elsewhere)
2. we might get the prospects plus still get Jake back.
3. more MLB time for the youngsters to see which guys have what it takes.
Another interesting tidbit: the $6 million owed to Westbrook for the rest of this season is exactly the same as is owed to Roy Oswalt. The same Roy Oswalt that is drawing only “limited interest” in the starting pitcher market according to Ken Rosenthal, FWIW. Granted, Oswalt’s got a few more years left on his contract, whereas Jake would be a rental, but if teams are balking at a $6 million price tag for Oswalt (an ace), the Indians might have a hard time moving Jake.
@5 from what I am hearing, teams aren’t balking at the 6 mil due to Oswalt this year, they are balking at the “few more years left on his contract” which add up to a little north of 20 mil if I remember correctly. Westbrook would be the perfect half season rental for a team. You know exactly what you are getting, a decent 3-4 pitcher who fields well and has proven post season experience. I wouldn’t be surprised as it gets down to it to see the Yanks, Rays, Rockies, Mets or other teams on the cusp to make a move. Watch out for the Rays. They have more prospects than they know what to do with and could be in the market for some starting pitching.
@4 — I only mentioned the saving money aspect because of the Paul Byrd comparison:
“On the other hand, they could simply dump his salary on any team willing to pay the $6 million, and get very little back in the way of prospects–ala Paul Byrd.”
I really don’t see them doing that. I would expect them to get some kind of prospect in return. Regardless, I hope they keep him around for the heck of it.
Side Note: These guys are fun to watch right now. They’re getting 2-out RBI hits like it’s nothing. Damn! I mean, a year ago it seemed like they had a moral stance against getting a 2-out hit with a guy on 3rd base.
6 in a row! Clutch hitting when it matters most from….
TrAvIs HaFneR?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!??!?!?!?!?
The Man With the Master Plan (I hope) plugged up that gap to score The Big Smooth from first. Go ahead, walk Santana. Do it. He was going to homer off you anyway, so you may as well make him show off his well above average baserunning skills.
Is there ANYTHING Santana doesn’t do awesome? I mean he’s batting under .200 from the right side of the plate but his OBP is over .350 because people are terrified to pitch to him.
@8 – Santana once struck out just to see how it felt. The umpire still awarded him first base.
If over the next 2 weeks the Tribe play .500 baseball then they are poised to make a run for the central. No joke. 12.5 games back tonight. in the next 2 weeks they have 2 4 game sets vs the Yanks, with the Rays and B Jays also there on weekends. get through that at .500 then they play the Twins, Os, Seattle and KC. Get to August and man they could really climb the Central fast. Its not like Chi town of Det. are running away anytime soon… Jus sayin… (drops the kool-aid)
“Santana once struck out just to see how it felt. The umpire still awarded him first base.”
Maybe my favorite comment ever.
I agree to some extent Bobby, but it is hard to jump 4 teams, especially with the unbalanced schedule. Since the Central plays each other so much, you figure at least one of the other teams will be playing well down the stretch too.
Just take it one series at a time, get everyone back healthy, and see where you are at end of August.
@10/12 — I had to punch myself when I started thinking about this last night, but, hey, the Indians were 18 games down coming out of the all star break and they’re only 12 games out now! They’ll have the Central wrapped-up by September 1 at this rate!!!
In all seriousness, though, I want to thank the Indians for giving me something positive to think about.
Robbie, I don’t think those numbers are correct. The White Sox are 5-1 post ASB so we have not picked up 6 games on them. The Royals, Tigers, and Twins have just backed up towards the Tribe over the last week. And that’s my point from 12. Very hard to jump over 4 other teams.
@8 – Santana once struck out just to see how it felt. The umpire still awarded him first base.
He doesn’t always drink beer, but when he does he drinks Strohs.
Sorry, it just reminded me of those stupid Dos XX commercials so I added a Cleveland twist.
@Andrew – wow, high praise. thank you.
@GW – yes, you are correct. MattyFos and I had a back-n-forth with Santana with that as a basis when he first came up (sort of in antagonistic response to the Blame Branyan thread). I would have gone Dortmunder instead of Stroh’s though.
Santana announced he will be starting SF for the Cavaliers next season.
/Blame#6
@17 – upon hearing this news, Kobe and Garnett both retired as there was no use playing if the championship was obviously already won.
in related news, #6 and friends did not retire because they could still party on South Beach.
What’s the likelihood that Kerry Wood gets traded by July 31?