Jake survives winter ball

Our veteran pitcher is good to go

about 2 years ago MTF 30 comments 1 recs |

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good news. i almost forget how much i like westbrook.

by Brick. on Dec 17, 2009 10:17 AM EST reply actions

You tried to hump his leg once.

by Jay on Dec 17, 2009 6:14 PM EST up reply actions

being the last year of his deal, if he going good do we trade him mid-season?

Fan in Texas

by fanintexas on Dec 17, 2009 10:45 AM EST reply actions

yes

by ASP on Dec 17, 2009 11:40 AM EST up reply actions

not when we’re 40-35.

"I'm a baseball lifer. It's what I do." —Manny Acta

by westbrook on Dec 17, 2009 12:44 PM EST up reply actions

Feh

by NickFantana on Dec 17, 2009 1:52 PM EST up reply actions

At some point we can spend money, right? If Jake agrees to stay with us for the current contract for a few more seasons that has be better than trying to replace him in the FA market.

by Toxicadam on Dec 17, 2009 3:35 PM EST up reply actions

I’ve kinda held out hope that he might agree to a contract extension this spring and take a pay cut to do so. There was a reason we signed him to a extended contract – his consistency and durability (up to the TJ thing). Pitchers often come back stronger post surgery. He obviously likes Cleveland. I’d love for him to be the veteran presence on the staff.

And yes, I know this is but a pipe dream. I have less doubt about his being an effective pitcher again than whether or not he sticks around after this year.

I just wanted to believe.

by mjmarble on Dec 17, 2009 4:09 PM EST up reply actions

Why would you extend him without at least first seeing if he can make it through 10 starts without getting hurt again? I mean, if it’s two years, two million bucks, sure, but it won’t be.

by Jay on Dec 17, 2009 6:16 PM EST up reply actions 1 recs

And if he does? Does that change your mind at all? Say, 2 years, $10 million total after 2010, signed after 10 healthy starts? (Ed note: That’s not market price, nor would I pay market price at that time.)

The once and future

by Manhattan Tribe Fan on Dec 17, 2009 7:21 PM EST up reply actions

If he were effective, with literally no sign of trouble? I might.

by Jay on Dec 17, 2009 9:07 PM EST up reply actions

After 10 starts his price is going to be going up, up, up. I think they they’ve watched him throughout his rehab, through winter ball and will watch him in spring training. I know its not game situations and the wear and tear of the season, but they should have a pretty good feel for it. It’s a risk reward thing. Plus, it’s not like TJ is a new thing, it’s fairly well established what type of recovery time comes with it, what are the potential hiccups, etc.

It’s hella risky (in additional to the fact it’d never happen) – not to mention it probably wouldn’t really fly with most people. But I’d rather take a chance on Jake than bring in some other one year retread in 2011 to be a veteran innings eater.

I just wanted to believe.

by mjmarble on Dec 18, 2009 1:12 AM EST up reply actions

Oh, yes … how could we ever replace the kind of production we’ve gotten from Westbrook in the free agent market … that would cost so much money …

by Jay on Dec 17, 2009 6:16 PM EST up reply actions

You’re playing hindsight on an injury. What were your feelings about it when deal went down?

I just wanted to believe.

by mjmarble on Dec 18, 2009 1:14 AM EST up reply actions

I thought it was a good deal — optimistic about the player, while at the same time tens of millions under the market at that time.

But I’m not playing hindsight. I’m saying, we have in fact gotten X production out of this player, and in fact it would not be difficult to replace that real-world X in the free agent market, even with guys like Tomo Ohka.

by Jay on Dec 18, 2009 1:38 PM EST up reply actions

Most definitely, we will.

by Jay on Dec 17, 2009 6:15 PM EST up reply actions

I disagree. If players begin developing and we get a random good year out of Hafner or if Carmona rediscovers how to pitch? If we’re within spitting distance of the division leader? Do you trade Westbrook then? It seems like you’ve completely written off 2010. There’s a hundred different scenarios which trading Westbrook doesn’t get traded.

Maybe I’m drinking too much of the CoolAid or maybe I’m just anxious for spring training to start – but I believe that we cratered in August. From here we build and grow. We’ve got players coming in who are continuing to develop. We’ve got a number of young players established (Sizemore, Choo, Asdrubal, Peralta). We’ve got the makings of a stellar pen. The biggest hole is in SP. Big hole – I know.

Will we lose a bunch? Of course – most likely it’s gonna be pretty ugly, especially early on in the season. Heck – I’d be happy if we end up at .500 for the season. But I think this team shows marked improvement as the summer goes on.

It’s just wrong to flippantly write off an entire season when there is a ton of promise on this team.

I just wanted to believe.

by mjmarble on Dec 18, 2009 1:25 AM EST up reply actions