Though Matt Garza is the most exciting Cubs’ target this offseason, he isn’t the one with a Cy Young on his mantle. And that guy, Brandon Webb, is still on the Cubs’ radar.
Baseball sources confirmed to me tonight that the Cubs continue to evaluate the medical reports on starting pitcher Brandon Webb who has been sidelined for the better part of the last two seasons with a shoulder injury. Webb, a former Cy Yound (sic.) award winner with the Arizona Diamondbacks has serious interest in the Cubs and should his medicals check out he could find himself competing for a spot in the Cubs rotation next spring. Kap’s Corner.
Clearly the Cubs do not feel pressed to make a move on Webb quite yet, which suggests that no team has come forward with a Major League deal for much over the minimum salary, plus incentives. The Cubs are one of Webb’s preferred destinations, however, so that will help.
Though his velocity was down to the low 80s(!) at one point during his comeback, some reports have Webb back to cruising at an acceptable ML-speed. Like the Cubs, he’ll probably not have an interest in a quick sign, hoping that the market will develop a bit more as other free agents shake out, and teams reevaluate their ability to take on a project.