non roster invite ideas? how about a former cy young winner who is only 32?

by rideallnide on Jan 6, 2012 8:03 PM EST

so does anyone have any suggestions for non-roster invites? These are guys that we would sign to a minor league deal, invite to spring training and see what they got. They will either make the team, or head to triple-a or ask for their release.

I think a good option might be Brandon Webb. He averaged 5.667 WAR per year from 2006-2008. The fact that he was always a finesse pitcher (7.2 k/9 over that span and according to fan graphs averaged only 89 mph on his sinking fastball) means he can be effective even if topping out in the upper 80s.

There hasnt been any buzz about webb at all, so this late in the offseason it seems he will settle for a minor league deal. According to Jon Heyman, he has been throwing for a month and his arm feels good. Webb could be a solid option out of the marlins, if he would be willing to try to revive his career as a reliever. He pitched over 220 innings or 4 years in a row and should be a very durable option out of the pen. He would also be a solid veteran presence who could help to stabilize the circus, i mean clubhouse.

All this is assuming he is healthy, but what harm would a minor league deal be if he isn't?

Poll

Would you like the marlins to go after brandon webb?

yes

36 votes

no

3 votes

there is no point, he will never be healthy

9 votes

48 votes | Poll has closed

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Brad Hawpe would be someone I'd put in the same category.

He’s coming off Tommy John Surgery and would fit the same mold as Webb of looking to catch on with a minor league deal. He’s a lefty, which might make him superfluous for the Marlins because they just signed Dobbs, but showed decent power prior to his injury. Also like Dobbs, he’s got severe lefty v. righty splits, much better against righties. His defense in the outfield is terrible so he’d probably be limited to first base.
Wow, this basically is Greg Dobbs. There probably too similar to one another for signing him to make sense. Might still be worth a shot though.

Or, imagine, being able to be magically whisked away to... Delaware. Hi. I'm in Delaware.

by Eric Ely on Jan 6, 2012 10:12 PM EST reply actions

Apparently Manny Ramirez would be open to accepting a minor league deal.

http://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2011/12/manny-ramirez-comments.html

I’m not saying this would be a good idea but, like you said, what’s the harm in a minor league offer?

Or, imagine, being able to be magically whisked away to... Delaware. Hi. I'm in Delaware.

by Eric Ely on Jan 6, 2012 10:20 PM EST reply actions

haha in mannys case there actually could be harm in a minor league offer. dont we have enough drama already?

can you image a team with ozzie, zambrano, hanley, and manny?!? WOW
but I agree with you on Hawpe. He is a decent player who is a great bounceback candidate. I dont really think he would fit with us though. I really liked our aaron rowand signing already, but maybe there is another outfielder or middle infielder who could be worth a shot.

by rideallnide on Jan 6, 2012 11:32 PM EST up reply actions

Webb isn't a bad idea

He would at least offer the team some depth as a non-roster invitee. I doubt he has anything left in him; very few pitchers, if any, can be effective at the velocities Webb is currently throwing due to his arm problems. Worth a shot though

Fish Stripes, a Florida Marlins blog
Author, Baseball Prospectus Fantasy

by Michael Jong on Jan 7, 2012 2:39 PM EST reply actions