Guardians agree with right-handed users Jacob Webb on a one-year contract, according to a report from Robert Murray of FanSided. Financial terms have not been disclosed. The Rangers have one spot on the 40-man roster but also have an existing contract with the right-hander. Nathan Eovaldi. A parallel movement will be required once both agreements become official.
Webb wasn’t a surprise tender by the Orioles a few weeks ago. He threw 56 2/3 innings for the O’s in 2024, allowing 3.02 earned runs per nine. His 11.4% walk rate was high but he also struck out 24.5% of the batters he faced.
Baltimore could have kept him in arbitration, with MLBTR contributor Matt Swartz projecting Webb a minimum salary of $1.7MM next year, but the O’s apparently didn’t want him back at that price point. He was not offered a tender and was therefore sent to free agency without being given a waiver, which allowed him to sign the deal.
The Rangers will likely pay something for Webb on that list, so he’s a low-cost addition to the bullpen. That’s a smart move for them since relief aid is in dire need and budgets are a problem. Kirby Yates, David Robertson, José Leclercagain José Ureña they were the relievers with the most innings pitched in Texas in 2024 and all four are now free agents. In addition, Josh Sborz he underwent shoulder surgery which will keep him out until the middle of the season.
On the budget side of things, the club are hoping to avoid the competitive balance tax next year, which would mean expensive deals are not an option for them. RosterResource pegs their CBT number at just over $220MM right now, which means they’re about $20MM short of the $241MM base threshold, but they’re probably looking to save some wiggle room later in the season.
Considering all of that, it wouldn’t be surprising to see the Rangers pick up a few bargain-basement flyers, starting with this one. Webb now has 187 innings of big league experience with a 2.98 ERA, 23.5% strikeout rate and 11.1% walk rate. If he has a good year with Texas in 2025, he could be retained through arbitration through the 2026 season.
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