Brewers Reportedly Sign Veteran Reliever Ryan Webb

[Mass Haas]

As per Baseball America's Minor League Free Agent Tracker, maintained by their transaction guru Matt Eddy and staff, the Brewers have signed veteran reliever Ryan Webb (Baseball Reference career stats) to a minor league deal.

 

Webb, who turns 31 in February, has seen big league action with five teams in parts of eight seasons (SD, MIA, BAL, CLE, TB), covering 375 big league appearances. Webb opened 2016 with Tampa Bay, where he had signed a one-year, $1 million deal, but missed a month starting in late May with a right pectoral injury, struggled upon his June return, and was released shortly thereafter. The White Sox picked him up, but he only saw action in three games at AAA for Chicago prior to the end of the season.

 

Webb's biggest payday was his $2.75 million 2015 season, in which the Dodgers ended up paying nearly all of the tab, despite Webb never throwing a pitch for them. The Indians ended up benefiting from his services that year. So yes, Webb has had quite the transaction odyssey in his career.

 

One would think Webb will receive an invitation to big league camp, but the Brewers haven't announced the signing yet. Webb and his agent likely recognize the opportunities to be added to the 25-man roster for Opening Day.

 

This is a minor league deal, but we'll leave this thread here in the Major League Forum. It wouldn't be surprising to learn down the road that Webb negotiated an opt-out team decision date to be added to the 40-man roster near the end of spring training, but again, that's speculation only.

[Mass Haas]

As I pointed out on overnight Twitter, Webb was on mound for this memorable Caleb Gindl extra-inning moment & unique celebration --

 

[ZBTMP]

He has been used in a multiple inning role at times throughout his career (2013, 2015). He will be a good candidate for that if Blazek still cannot find the strike zone. I'm not optimistic on Cravy limiting his free passes either. If he can keep the ball in the yard, he will be an upgrade from Boyer.

[djoctagone]

One would think Webb will receive an invitation to big league camp, but the Brewers haven't announced the signing yet.

 

This is a minor league deal, but we'll leave this thread here in the Major League Forum. It wouldn't be surprising to learn down the road that Webb negotiated an opt-out team decision date to be added to the 40-man roster near the end of spring training, but again, that's speculation only.

alfredo figaro and dontrelle willis are quite jealous that webb gets a thread in the major league forum.

[Outlander]

He has pitched in the majors every year since 2009 so the major league forum would appear appropriate.

[monty57]

Like many pitchers, it looks like he was tried out as a starter in the minors, and converted to exclusively bullpen around 2012. His numbers look a lot better after that. If he can stay healthy, looks like a guy who could be a decent middle reliever, with a mid-3's ERA and over 2 K/BB. May not be a world beater, but could log a lot of innings for the 2017 Brewers.

[dacbrewers]

Like many pitchers, it looks like

he was tried out as a starter in the minors, and converted to exclusively bullpen around 2012. His numbers look a lot better after that. If he can stay healthy, looks like a guy who could be a decent middle reliever, with a mid-3's ERA and over 2 K/BB. May not be a world beater, but could log a lot of innings for the 2017 Brewers.

His numbers may have looked a lot better since starting but did you see last year as a reliever only. Not so good. I would take a chance on the younger guys or convert one of the starters into a relief role.

[djoctagone]

it's official. ok to keep this thread in the major league forum.

[FVBrewerFan]

Another "kick the tires" guy. Only a minor league contract so worth taking a look in ST.

[monty57]

Like many pitchers, it looks like

he was tried out as a starter in the minors, and converted to exclusively bullpen around 2012. His numbers look a lot better after that. If he can stay healthy, looks like a guy who could be a decent middle reliever, with a mid-3's ERA and over 2 K/BB. May not be a world beater, but could log a lot of innings for the 2017 Brewers.

His numbers may have looked a lot better since starting but did you see last year as a reliever only. Not so good. I would take a chance on the younger guys or convert one of the starters into a relief role.

 

As Mass Haas mentioned in the opening post, he was injured and only pitched 23 innings between the majors and minors.

 

But, to your point, most relievers are sporadic from year-to-year. I'm fine if this guy ends up getting a middle reliever spot. I'm also fine if someone else beats him out. It's good to have some additional options since we've traded away much of last year's 'pen.

[3and2Fastball]

He was relatively effective as recently as 2015. If the Brewers can get him turned around he has value.

[brewmann04]

no harm no foul with this move

[MkeSouthSide]

This is very exciting for us fans of the Effectively Wild podcast, for whom Ryan Webb is a minor celebrity for holding the lifetime record for most games finished without recording a save.

[djoctagone]

webb released today. he was used pretty sparingly in camp, only appearing in three games and tossing 3.0 innings.