All eyes will be on Jake Westbrook today as he takes the mound for the Cleveland Indians against the Toronto Blue Jays. Not many people will actually be paying much attention to whether he wins and loses, instead wondering whether or not the Tribe will continue their perennial sell-at-all-costs spiral intooblivion started after the 2007 crash-and-burn against the Boston Red Sox in the ALCS.
With Jhonny Peralta (Detroit) and Austin Kearns (New York Yankees) heading to much greener pastures in recent days, look for Westbrook to get plenty of hits today from several teams looking for pitching.
Topping the list of potential suitors for the veteran righty are the recurrent trading partners for the Indians, the St. Louis Cardinals. The Cards are looking for a starter that can eat up innings, and Westbrook may just be the guy. He's already thrown 127 2/3 innings this year, which is exactly what the doctor ordered for the Cardinals.
The only potential road block in a deal with the N.L. Central leaders is Westbrook's salary. He's scheduled to make four million dollars over the final two months of the season, and the Indians would likely to have to take on much of that salary. Top that off with a two million dollar bonus that Westbrook would receive if a trade is made, and you may have a deal-breaker.
The Indians faithful shouldn't expect much for Westbrook in the deal, although as the deadline looms closer, you really never know what the Indians may get. Also take into account that Westbrook is pitching today. Should he put together a solid performance, it could teeter a team on the brink of a move before today's 4:00 deadline.
Other clubs that may have interest in Westbrook's services are the New York Yankees and the Los Angeles Dodgers. While the Yankees seem to be doing what they always do during the deadline, and trade for everything whether they need it or not, I can't imagine that Westbrook is heading their way, or he likely would have been part of the Kearns deal. The Dodgers, who tend to overpay for players, likely aren't going to make any big deals with the ownership in the midst of an "As the World Turns" divorce.
In Westbrook's nine years with the Tribe, he's gone 69-69, with a 4.29 ERA.
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