Via Dan Graziano –
The Seattle Mariners had a scout at Monday night’s Yankees-Twins game. The same scout also watched the Yankees’ Double-A Trenton club within the past few days. The Mariners would like to trade left-handed starter Jarrod Washburn, who would fit the Yankees’ need for a back-end starting pitcher. Washburn is making $9.85 million this year and $10.35 million next year and has a limited no-trade clause, and Seattle isn’t interested in paying any of the money as a condition of the trade. So they might accept less in return in terms of talent from a team willing to take on the entire salary, but it’s unclear whether the Yankees, who are looking to trim their 2009 payroll, are such a team. Who could Seattle be looking at on the major-league team? Outfielders Brett Gardner, Justin Christian and even Melky Cabrera are names that could be on the block if the Yankees find something they like.
I’ve never been much of a fan of Washburn. Back when he was in his mid-twenties, Washburn did look promising. But, outside of having a good season during his “walk season,” he’s not been very good since that time. In fact, he’s been pretty bad during his last three seasons with Seattle. There’s no secret as to why the M’s want to send him packing.
If Seattle wants to do a straight salary dump, and would be willing to do a one-up for him at the cost of someone like Justin Christian, I suppose it’s worth a shot – maybe. Over the last four years, Washburn has pitched some decent games at Yankee Stadium. But, there’s no way that I would give up anything close to having some value to pick up Jarrod Washburn.
7 Responses to “Jarrod Washburn Available?”
Leave a Reply
You must be logged in to post a comment.
July 22nd, 2008 at 9:15 am
This deal would certainly fit Cashman’s m.o. Shell out 10 million for a piece of crap like Washburn, then plead poverty in December when it comes time to acquire a lefthanded reliever or a decent bench player. Rely on the “lightning in a bottle” Ensberg/Traber approach instead. Rinse. Repeat.
July 22nd, 2008 at 10:11 am
then plead poverty in December when it comes time to acquire a lefthanded reliever or a decent bench player.
————–
Eh? Mike Myers, Chris Hammond, etc weren’t good enough for you? Before the season started, this year’s bench was hailed as one of the better ones in recent memory.
July 22nd, 2008 at 2:58 pm
You’re kidding, right?
July 22nd, 2008 at 3:40 pm
You’re kidding, right?
———–
You had all IF positions covered between Betemit & Ensberg. Molina had backup catching duties. And one of Damon, Duncan, Matsui & Cabera for the OF. All this plus one of your more durable lineups.
A lefty in the bullpen was not necessary looking at platoon splits. Veras, for instance, is more effective against LHB.
July 22nd, 2008 at 7:25 pm
Duncan, Betemit, and Ensberg…”hailed as one of the better [benches] in recent memory.” Where exactly was it “hailed” as such, in your house? And I hope you mean recent YANKEE memory, because if you think that bench is strong compared to the rest of the league you must be high. That is a DEADLY bench: a has-been (Ensberg), a never-was (Duncan), and a middling utility man. Two of those guys won’t even be in baseball next year. I hope you’re a teenager because you obviously haven’t been watching baseball for very long.
July 23rd, 2008 at 9:12 am
[...] I’m not saying that Washburn is the answer for the Yankees rotation needs – for sure. Maybe he can help – then again, maybe he cannot? But, [...]
July 23rd, 2008 at 2:31 pm
Compare and contrast this year’s Yankee bench to benches of previous years.
Read my entry again; “You had all IF positions covered between Betemit & Ensberg. Molina had backup catching duties. And one of Damon, Duncan, Matsui & Cabera for the OF. All this plus one of your more durable lineups.”
Once again, you had Duncan, who was to backup 1b & OF, you had Betemit who you have backing up 3b, ss, 2b & 1b, you had Ensberg who was good for the corners (3b & 1b) with and could play the OF in a pinch, and one of Matsui, Damon & Cabrera available when one was starting. Molina with backup catching duties. Not to mention that there’s a good chance the bench won’t come into play because the Yanks have fairly durable players.
Now if you think that guys that Nieves, Cairo Kevin Thompson & Andy Phillips (among others) were better, you’re welcome to your opinion, no matter how stupid it is
As for the rest of the league, look around, the Yankee bench is comparable to what other benches around the league has done. But you already knew that…
Now go home and get your fuckin’ shinebox.