As extensively analyzed last week, Randy Wells was probably not quite as bad last year as it initially appeared. He was a little less lucky, a little less precise, and a little bit shakier in the early innings. Beyond that, he was, at times, far more effective in 2010 than in his sterling 2009 season.
But even a statistical analysis isn’t enough to convince everybody. Heck, it’s not enough to convince Wells, himself.
“Last year I got caught up in a lot of stuff,” he said. “I maybe got too big for my britches.”
Wells went 8-14 with a 4.26 earned-run average, after a strong rookie season in which he won 12 games with a 3.05 ERA.
At the Cubs Caravan preview at Harry Caray’s restaurant, Wells said he looks at the Ricky Vaughn character in the movie “Major League II” as a fair representation of his season.
“Ricky Vaughn turned into a businessman/pretty boy,” Wells said.
For those unfamiliar with the movie, Wells was referring to Charlie Sheen’s “Wild Thing” character, a pitcher who became complacent and more concerned about endorsements and earnings potential after his one-year success in the original “Major League.”
Now Wells is fighting for a rotation spot with six or so others. He’s ready for the challenge, and confident in his abilities.
“May the best man win,” he said. “Ultimately, that’s going to be what’s best for the ballclub. If things don’t work out, there’s 29 other teams. That’s just the nature of the beast. There’s not a spot for everybody. I’m actually anxious about it. … I don’t want to pitch anyplace else but here.” Chicago Breaking Sports.
Unless the Cubs get a serious haul for him, they should not even consider dealing Wells. He’s not yet even arbitration eligible, and is nearly as effective as a guy like, say, Matt Garza. The fact that Wells sounds nervous about being traded is surprising, and kind of discouraging.
Hopefully Wells does whatever he needs to do to prove (to himself?) that he deserves a rotation spot, and then carries that into the season. It’s easy to forget that when at his best, Wells is easily the equal of any Number 3 in baseball, save perhaps those guys on the Phillies.