Webb, Texas Ranger

The representatives of Brandon Webb and the Texas Rangers front office managed to take some time out of their undoubtedly busy Boxing Day schedule to agree to a one-year contract. Terms of the deal have not been released as of Sunday night, but the deal is “incentive-laden,” according to Nick Piecoro. If this deal fits into the market of Rich Harden and Erik Bedard type market, we can be fairly sure that the deal will pay Webb less than $4-5 million guaranteed. As Dave pointed out, deals like this did not pan out well last season. We can’t make any hard statistical or factual claims based on the sample size of six starters, but I’m not exactly sure I see any reason to expect big things out of this deal or any contract in the same vein. The pitchers being signed have a two-sided struggle on their hands. First, they have to make it onto the field, which Webb failed to do last year. Second, even if their bodies can return to the point where they’re...