After losing their last three games and falling further below the Angels and the Rangers in the AL West (they’re now 7 1/2 games out), Ken Rosenthal and Jon Paul Morosi (FOX Sports) note that the Mariners are heading into sell mode. According to an unnamed official from a contending team who spoke with KR and JPM, “They’re about ready to do some things.” All of this, of course, is speculation, however, Jarrod Washburn—who is scheduled to start tonight against Toronto—has long been a Yankee target. Last year, the Yankees tried to acquire him but balked at the Mariners’ asking price. This year, the rumors continue to swirl around the crafty veteran and he knows it.
Washburn, of course, was in play last year at the trade deadline as well, and nearly was dealt to both the New York Yankees and Minnesota Twins.
“I guess my feelings are a little different,” he said. “Last year, I was hoping something would get done. This year I am just waiting to see. If it does, it does. If it doesn’t, I am happy either way.
“The first one [last year] had me going to the Yankees, and that didn’t work out. I was a little disappointed, but I was able to convince myself that I probably wouldn’t fit in that well in New York, anyway. That was OK. But when it was the Twins, that one stuck with me a little more. It would have been in my backyard and I was thinking how good that would have been.”
While Washburn clearly likes the Twins, he seems to enjoy the idea of pitching for the Yankees, as well. He’s a good fit for the team, too, as they could probably eat a significant amount of his salary in order to get him (he’s owed 10.35 million this season, though much of that has already been paid) and therefore, maybe they won’t have to part with any top talents from their farm system. I’ve written about Washburn before—he has been stellar this year, thanks to his defense in Seattle, a bit of luck, and a revamped two-seamer. Will his success translate to the Yankees for the rest of 2009? I’m not sure, but I like him better than Brandon, excuse me, Bronson Arroyo.
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8 Responses to Washburn wants to be a Yankee
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TIQ IQ
I’m pretty sure Washburn is a free agent after this season. Also, I don’t know how well that 43.6% fly ball rate would work with the Yankee defense in Yankee stadium. I’m not a fan.
Thanks for that, Greg. Brain cramp. I think he could be alright in Yankee Stadium, as long as Gardner and others deliver defensively (Damon has been the one awful OF this season).
He’d be an upgrade over what we currently have in the back of the rotation. But he probably isn’t worth what Seattle will be asking.
Many teams looking for pitching help now, and if Toronto overprices Halladay that means more GMs bidding on Washburn. The greater the demand, the higher the price. He would be a useful addition, but at what cost in minor league talent? Suppose Seattle insists on one of the following: Austin Jackson, Zachary McAllister, or Austin Romine?
The Mariners won’t get any of those guys (outside of McAllister, as Dave notes). Seattle doesn’t have as much leverage with Roy Halladay and Cliff Lee still available (why give up your top prospects for J-Wash when you can have Lee or Halladay for a package of top prospects?). If Halladay and Lee are off the market, then we’ll see the price go up a bit.
I wouldn’t hesitate to give them McAllister in such a trade. I wouldn’t give them Jackson or Romine.
Definitely no A-Jax or Romine.
hey me to!! i really like washburn more than brandon, digo bronson arroyo, ahi que bajarse de la nube papi olviden a roy halladay y cliff lee its to expensive for us now we lose chieng ming wang and joba had a innings limits and c.c. make me scary,we need another good arm..