Is Washburn Next?

by John Amato on Jul 27, 2008 8:45 PM EDT

If the Yankees trade for starter Jarrod Washburn, it will be the kind of deal they are most comfortable making. They will not sacrifice a major prospect, and their only risk will be financial.

The trade they completed Saturday was different, and unlike any they have made in recent years. To acquire outfielder Xavier Nady and reliever Dámaso Marte from the Pittsburgh Pirates, the Yankees traded solid prospects.

They kept the jewels of their system: reliever Mark Melancon and outfielder Austin Jackson, each at Class AA Trenton.

As of Saturday night, Cashman had not discussed trade parameters with the Mariners. But that could change if the Yankees want Washburn in time to start Sunday night. For now, he is scheduled to start for the Mariners in Toronto on Sunday afternoon.

I'm not a big fan of Washburn's since he left LA, although he has been pitching much better lately after a win today, Jarrod had a .293 ERA in June and has a 3.16 so far in July.

Some fun:

Let's sweeten the pot. We'll take Jarrod's contract off their hand and then we get Ichiro for Abreu, Igawa and Gardner.

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It appears that Seattle just gained a little leverage today with Washburn pitching a good ballgame and Ponson predictably stinking up the joint.

But I would stand firm on the current offer if I’m Cashman. Deep down, Seattle knows this is the way out for them on Washburn’s contract and they also know the Yanks are the only team who could make that happen.

If Seattle wants to get rid of him bad enough – they will fold. Cashman has been pretty good at playing high stakes poker with other GMs the last couple of years.

Under no circumstances should the Yanks part with any prized prospect. There are other options if the Washburn deal falls through.

by anaconda on Jul 27, 2008 10:51 PM EDT reply reply 0 recs

i wouldn't give up any more

than a hot dog and maybe a subway token for Washburn.

this should be a salary dump for Seattle. if they’re asking for anything serious in return, then they’re crazy.

by Clutch like Leyritz on Jul 28, 2008 9:27 AM EDT reply reply 0 recs

Hmmm

How would that lineup work…. hitting Jeter 3rd?

by daneptizl on Jul 28, 2008 1:13 PM EDT reply reply 0 recs

Ichiro third

and he’ll catch pop ups in right.

by John Amato on Jul 28, 2008 1:27 PM EDT reply reply 0 recs

I wouldn't want Ichiro

The Yanks need to get younger and Ichiro is clearly on the downside of his career. He’s going to be 35 years old in October.

Too many old guys is the biggest reason why the team’s offense has been so inconsistent this season and often lacks energy.

by anaconda on Jul 28, 2008 3:12 PM EDT reply reply 0 recs

He's only "on the downside"

because he’s past the baseball prime of 28-32, but other then a slight regression from “awesome” to “really, really good” defensively, there is no sign that he’s in decline.

Anyway, just stopped by to say please take Washburn off our hands. We’ll bake you cookies.

by Omerta on Jul 28, 2008 3:27 PM EDT up reply reply 0 recs

He is still very good defensively

But he’s also going to be 35 years old and he’s the worst offensive season of his career – by far. He’s also signed through 2012 at $17M per year.

Hey, Ichiro is still a fine player – but there’s no way I would want him at that cost.

I’m in the minority here because I don’t want Washburn at all. I think trading for him would be a huge mistake.

It seems like the overwhelming consensus among Mariner fans is that you guys would do back flips just to get rid of him – regardless of what you might get in return.

Is that accurate?

by anaconda on Jul 28, 2008 3:50 PM EDT up reply reply 0 recs

but you do agree

that Washburn is a better option at this point (as long as he comes for nothing) than Ponson, right?

by Clutch like Leyritz on Jul 28, 2008 5:14 PM EDT up reply reply 0 recs

Yeah...

But he’s not $14M better than Ponson in addition to a spot in next year’s rotation.

Ponson was predictably horrible last night and Red Sox hitters only swung and missed twice during his outing.

But I also checked out our friends at Lookout Landing and had an equally alarming breakdown for Washburn against Toronto:

-67% strikes (68/101)
-2 swings and misses
-7 grounders on 27 balls in play

Sounds like Washburn was more lucky than good on Sunday.

Nothing wrong with pitching to contact – but I’d much prefer to see 7 fly balls and 20 grounders in play rather than vise versa.

I think this would be a bad move for the Yanks. I would prefer to take my chances with Kennedy, Aceves, and Hughes in another month.

Hughes was great last September and October after he came back from his injury and Kennedy pitched very well in his three starts.

These kids can be moved if they don’t work out. Washburn can’t. It’s the very reason why I wanted to see the Yanks stick with the young arms in the pen instead of signing journeyman relievers and it has paid off big time this season.

Unfortunately, Seattle will end up folding on this and Washburn will probably start against the Angels this weekend.

by anaconda on Jul 28, 2008 6:09 PM EDT up reply reply 0 recs