Dear Brandon Webb:

by venomfan on Jul 28, 2010 1:24 PM EDT

Let's be honest: we all know your time as a DBack will come to an end this offseason. We've had some great years with you and it's been a pleasure to watch you take the mound and make batters look like little leaguers who either ground out or strike out. We all know you've been hurt the last 2 seasons, and that sucks. It also sucks that we're not a team in a large MLB market (valley population notwithstanding), otherwise we'd be able to dish out another $8-10 mil for a quality starter while you heal up.

Who knows how many years left you have on the mound, but you have a realistic shot of ending up in the HOF. If you have dominant years ahead of you, you're a lock. But if your future performance is merely good, you're going to need to sway some votes in your favor. If the latter happens, you can help your HOF cause by not burning bridges with the fanbase OR management when you leave. The best way to accomplish this is is to publicly state that you will decline arbitration, and then actually do it.

As a fan, I want to see us get something in return when you leave. I also want to cheer for you (or politely applaud if it's a meaningful game) when you return to Chase Field in another team's uniform. Leaving us with 2 top prospects accomplishes both goals, AND it assists you because people in positions of power like to reward good behavior. If you help us on your way out the door, it will help you in the future.

Thanks for reading, and best of luck in your recovery.

Tweet Comment 11 comments | 0 recs |

Do you like this story?

Comments

A nice thought

But I don’t think Webb will be a Type A or Type B free agent next year, since he has pitched one game in the last two seasons. The team would not get any compensation for Webb declining arbitration.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Free_agent#Major_League_Baseball_usage

Maybe we should just go sledding.

by skoormit on Jul 28, 2010 2:09 PM EDT reply actions

Ugh

in that case, he better get his ass back on the mound and go 7-0 with 55 K / 4 BB for the rest of the season.

by venomfan on Jul 28, 2010 2:47 PM EDT up reply actions 1 recs

Or he could do something else

And sign a low cost incentive laden deal and stay here for another season.

As I understood it he was pissed off with the FO pulling out of a contract deal over injury concerns, well given what’s transpired perhaps he should be humble and admit that the FO made the right call.

I don’t expect him to do this, but maybe with a new GM and manager perhaps he could be convinced?

Time for another drink then?

http://www.wimbles.wordpress.com

by Wimb on Jul 29, 2010 3:42 AM EDT reply actions

This would be cool

And would make up for the $15 million he’s taken from us the past two years. He better do it, I mean, look how promising the 2011 season is shaping up to be!

Wear your own fur.

by Marc Fournier on Jul 29, 2010 4:03 AM EDT up reply actions

Heh

Who could resist the chance to earn back to back No1 draft picks, and be part of a 3rd 100 game losing team. As LeBron showed, sometimes you have to show ambition and be part of a winning( at losing) team ;)

Time for another drink then?

http://www.wimbles.wordpress.com

by Wimb on Jul 29, 2010 6:23 AM EDT up reply actions

I had hopes

but he’ll probably do the “smart” business thing and put himself on the shelf, cash a few more checks and then join the club that offers him the best guaranteed money and bitch quietly about how mistreated he was here in Az.

I used to be disgusted, now I try to be amused....

by piratedan7 on Jul 29, 2010 7:08 AM EDT up reply actions