View Full Version : Why hasn't Bob Wickman's name been mentioned more often?
longtimeyankeefan
11-30-05, 06:47 PM
Not just as a possibility for the Yankees, but also for other teams.
When ranking the free agent closers this off-season, his name seems to have been low on the totem pole - Wagner, Ryan and Gordon all get more name play than Wick gets.
His stats last year continue to show he's got game - 45 saves with a 2.47 ERA, 57 hits and 41 strikeouts in 62 IP, etc.
I, for one, would love to see the Yankees overwhelm him with an offer to return to the team that he made his ML debut with to finish his career. In his 13 years, he has only made the postseason twice - 1995 with the Yankees and 2001 with the Indians. At 37 years old, time is passing him by.
Last season, he made $2.75M after two less than stellar seasons - with the outrageous market that relievers are getting, I certainly think a two year/eight million dollar contract office would be warranted as a starting point.
Yankyfan
11-30-05, 06:49 PM
Good question.He was Yankee already so maybe he wants to close?
RhodeyYankee2638
11-30-05, 06:49 PM
I'll make this real quick
He's old, injury prone, overweight and gives up a lot of hits
Perhaps there was no other player who had a bigger abberation of a year than Bob Wickman.
RhodeyYankee2638
11-30-05, 06:54 PM
according to baseball-reference and espn, from 2002-2004, 3 seasons, he pitched 64 innings. He isn't stellar healthwise.
longtimeyankeefan
11-30-05, 06:56 PM
Perhaps there was no other player who had a bigger abberation of a year than Bob Wickman.
How so? He was injured in 2002, did not pitch in 2003, and only played part of a year in 2004.
If you are comparing his 2005 numbers to his 2002 & 2004 numbers, you are not taking into account his elbow surgery.
His 2005 stats are comparable to his 1997 - 2001 numbers.
overweight
He belongs on the Red Sox.
longtimeyankeefan
11-30-05, 06:59 PM
I'll make this real quick
He's old, injury prone, overweight and gives up a lot of hits
He's 37 - Gordon is 38
He missed the 2003 season with elbow surgery, then returned in the latter half of 2004. Since then, I do not believe he has missed any time with injury.
I could care less about his weight.
He gave up fewer hits than IP last season.
longtimeyankeefan
11-30-05, 07:01 PM
according to baseball-reference and espn, from 2002-2004, 3 seasons, he pitched 64 innings. He isn't stellar healthwise.
He missed the 2003 season with elbow surgery. Since returning, he hasn't missed any time to injuries that I have been aware of.
RhodeyYankee2638
11-30-05, 07:09 PM
He's 37 - Gordon is 38
He missed the 2003 season with elbow surgery, then returned in the latter half of 2004. Since then, I do not believe he has missed any time with injury.
I could care less about his weight.
He gave up fewer hits than IP last season.
Look at his career numbers. He has 10 more IP than hits. Its not mindblowing. He has had some seasons which he gives up a bunch more hits than IP
If he wants to set up, and would sign a one-year contract, I'd be for it. Otherwise, pass.
If we can get him on the cheap (no more than 2 years at 4 per) but he shouldn't preclude any other signings. We need at least one guy ahead of him in Farnsworth and hopefully two w/ re-signing Gordon.
also Wick defintely has the make-up to pitch here. Not a factor to be underestimated.
longtimeyankeefan
11-30-05, 07:24 PM
Look at his career numbers. He has 10 more IP than hits. Its not mindblowing. He has had some seasons which he gives up a bunch more hits than IP
I count five of his thirteen seasons where he has more hits than IP - one of these seasons, he was primarily a SP, in two of those seasons, he gave up < 1 hit more than his IP and the other two seasons (2002) he had a torn ligament in his elbow and (2004) he was returning from elbow surgery.
Mind you, I am not suggesting that we obtain him to replace Mariano - but I can not fathom why he has gotten seemingly no interest thus far - at least that has been publicized.
JeffWeaverFan
11-30-05, 07:32 PM
Because he's not that good and will be overpaid since he was a closer last year.
longtimeyankeefan
11-30-05, 08:17 PM
Because he's not that good and will be overpaid since he was a closer last year.
You're absolutely right - I guess a 166 ERA+ and leading the league in saves in clearly a lousy pitcher.:dunno:
Last season, he converted his last 16 SVO and had a 0.79 ERA in Sept/Oct.
For the season, his OBA was .247 and almost identical vs LHB (.243) and RHB (.250).
He is more of a ground ball pitcher (GO/AO - 1.84) with a 1.70 K/BB ratio. He is NOT a strikeout pitcher (< 6 K/9 IP).
Unless Wickman has communicated something that I am not aware of, I just don't understand why his name is not being mentioned by teams like Philadelphia to lower Gordon's possible demands.
I Love Wang
11-30-05, 08:35 PM
Bob Wickman is fat.
Bob Wickman is fat.
We can't be thinking of the same. The one I know is very "lean".
We can't be thinking of the same. The one I know is very "lean".
ahhh youre thinking of Bob STICKman Bob Wickman is quite portley.
ahhh youre thinking of Bob STICKman Bob Wickman is quite portley.
I was thinking of this (http://gladstone.uoregon.edu/~amoore/cow.jpg) one.
surge511
11-30-05, 09:31 PM
Personally, I would love to have Wickman back. I would first try and resign Gordon, but if that doesn't work out, Wick would be a fine option to go with Farnsworth and Sturtze. He will be cheaper, and can pitch in big spots. We will probably see in the next week what Gordon plans to do, and if he doesn't come back, I would like to see us make a hard run at Wickman, I like the 2 years/8 mill type deal people are mentioning. He would be a great addition to the pen.
StatenIslandYankee
11-30-05, 09:45 PM
He stinks.
The Dynasty
11-30-05, 09:47 PM
He stinks.
I wouldn't say that, I just don't want him anywhere near the 8th or 9th inning at more than 1 year @ more than 4M.
Basically, ummm, I'm not a big fan of him unless we STEAL him ;)
JeffWeaverFan
11-30-05, 09:47 PM
You're absolutely right - I guess a 166 ERA+ and leading the league in saves in clearly a lousy pitcher.:dunno:
Last season, he converted his last 16 SVO and had a 0.79 ERA in Sept/Oct.
For the season, his OBA was .247 and almost identical vs LHB (.243) and RHB (.250).
He is more of a ground ball pitcher (GO/AO - 1.84) with a 1.70 K/BB ratio. He is NOT a strikeout pitcher (< 6 K/9 IP).
Unless Wickman has communicated something that I am not aware of, I just don't understand why his name is not being mentioned by teams like Philadelphia to lower Gordon's possible demands.
ERA+ Is not a good stat when looking at relief pitchers. I could care less about his saves also, that's another bad stat when looking at relief pitchers.
The lack of strikeouts without a truly fantastic G/F ratio worries me for a setup guy or a closeer. His numbers last year remind me of a poor man's Paul Quantrill the year before he came here.
Saying he's not a very good pitcher is not correct, but I don't think he's that great and I think he will be very overpaid by a team that needs a closer. Add that to the fact that he will be 37 next year and his G/F ratio last year was much lower than his career average, I'd rather not sign him to the (at least) 2 year deal it would take and then losing the 1st rounder.
BillAlex
11-30-05, 10:15 PM
I recall talk at the end of last year that he was considering retirement at the end of the season, to spend more time ice fishing is Wisconsin (or some where like that).
Here is a quote from Oct 4th.......
The Cleveland Plain Dealer reports that Bob Wickman has not yet decided if he will retire during the offseason. "The question for me is, 'Do I want to be away from my family any more?'" he said. " 'Do I want to compete in the ninth inning, selfishly, or do I want to be with my family every day for the rest of my life?' Baseball has given me the opportunity [to retire] at my age. I'll talk about it with the family, and I will make the final decision." Wickman saved 45 games for the Tribe in 2005.
longtimeyankeefan
11-30-05, 10:25 PM
I recall talk at the end of last year that he was considering retirement at the end of the season, to spend more time ice fishing is Wisconsin (or some where like that).
Here is a quote from Oct 4th.......
The Cleveland Plain Dealer reports that Bob Wickman has not yet decided if he will retire during the offseason. "The question for me is, 'Do I want to be away from my family any more?'" he said. " 'Do I want to compete in the ninth inning, selfishly, or do I want to be with my family every day for the rest of my life?' Baseball has given me the opportunity [to retire] at my age. I'll talk about it with the family, and I will make the final decision." Wickman saved 45 games for the Tribe in 2005.
Well, this explanation at least provides some context as to what might be going on.
surge511
11-30-05, 10:49 PM
Yeah, maybe that's why we're not hearing much about Wickman in this closer frenzy.
yankees76
11-30-05, 11:43 PM
There are too many teams who will need closers when the Class A and B guys are gone. Wickman is Class C. If he were available and no one seemed to be biting, we could take flyer on him to pitch the 6th or 7th, but not at the closer money he will require in his (likely) final contract of his career.
yankees76
11-30-05, 11:44 PM
There are too many teams who will need closers when the Class A and B guys are gone. Wickman is Class C. If he were available and no one seemed to be biting, we could take flyer on him to pitch the 6th or 7th, but not at the closer money he will require in his (likely) final contract of his career.
Oh yeah, and he's old and fat.
George Steinbrenner
12-01-05, 11:30 PM
good question get that fat man on the phone. hes proven and solid middle relief and thats rare these days.
ChrisV82
12-01-05, 11:35 PM
If Wickman comes back to the Yankees we can hear the story about him losing the tip of his finger in a farm accident every time he pitches. Won't that be exciting?
He's Bob Wickman...
Olllldddd
Stupid Flanders
12-02-05, 12:51 PM
Wickman said he's either returning to the Indians or retiring.
Sierra Mist
12-03-05, 09:23 PM
Wickman is injury prone, and also old. No thanks.
goin for 27
12-03-05, 09:31 PM
If Wickman comes back to the Yankees we can hear the story about him losing the tip of his finger in a farm accident every time he pitches. Won't that be exciting?
Man, how true is that!! :lol:
This is as good a reason as any to pass!!
Seriously, Wickman is getting up there, but he is still a bit younger than Gordon. If the Yanks could get a one year deal for reasonable cash, since we have Farnsworth in the stable already, and they could share innings, could be worth it.
However, this would be one where if it were announced I would hope for the best, I sure don't expect it, nor even want it to happen, I could just see the logic.
JeterRodriguezSheff
12-03-05, 09:33 PM
his 1.26 whip last year is pretty bad for a closer and indicates that his 2005 was sort of a fluke. I would sign him though to a cheap incentive based deal if we would though.
Funny story though guys, last year for fantasy baseball i had the first pick overall and took wickman on accident. My friends think that and the fact that he was pretty good last year is a sign for the Yankees to get him. That combined with all the inside jokes we have about him(I even got somebody who is named Bob Wickman in ohio phone number, long story dont ask) The situation turned out hilarious.
Stupid Flanders
12-04-05, 06:22 AM
Wickman is injury prone, and also old. No thanks.
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