Don’t rule out Washburn
December 18, 2009, 4:30 pm by iYankees · 6 Comments
In George King’s (NY Post) latest, he briefly cites Jarrod Washburn as an affordable free agent starter the Yankees could turn to this winter. With the Mariners, thanks to Seattle’s exceptional defense and some new movement on his two-seamer, Washburn had a stellar first half (2.96 ERA). In fact, midseason, the Yankees contemplated trading for him so that he could fill out the back-end of their tattered rotation. Luckily for Brian Cashman, Seattle had too high of an asking price and, in the end, the Tigers acquired Washburn, instead. He went on to have a very poor second half (5.23 ERA) as knee problems, which were corrected via surgery in October, plagued him throughout.
At 35, Washburn hasn’t been discussed much this offseason, as there seems to be little interest in the left-hander. The Mariners — seemingly his primary suitor — know him better than most and could try to bring him back after already acquiring Cliff Lee. The Yankees and Washburn have somewhat of a “trade history,” however, so perhaps he is a name they are currently considering (along with Ben Sheets, etc.). Washburn earned $10.35 million in 2009, though his second half swoon and his subsequent knee surgery could force him to accept something in the $5 million range.
He’s certainly not an ideal rotation addition, but he could make sense if he’s cheap.
Photo by Jim McIsaac/Getty Images
If we are going to sign a lefty with “problems” we might as well just sign Bedard, he is an overall better pitcher and about 6 years younger. I really can’t see Bedard getting anything more than Harden, however at the end of the day I think Sheets is going to be a Yankee, as Johnson and Granderson showed player still like the idea of “becoming Yankees” and at the end of the day no one will give Sheets 10 mill guaranteed and if the money is close why not go to the defending champs instead of the Mets.
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This is interesting. I think it’s a good idea too if they get him cheap enough, say $5 million or less.
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I think it depends on what Bedard makes because since he is the younger and more upside lefty I think it would be a mistake to give Washburn a contract before Bedard signs because he should make a million or two less than Bedard based off of skill and abiltity to pitch higher up in the rotation. Washburn is pretty much no matter what a 4th or 5th starter but Bedard still has some talent in there somewhere that could come out and make him a much better investment than Washburn… Or he could be who he always has been and disappoint but I still wouldn’t pay Washburn before Bedard signs somewhere.
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DO. NOT. WANT.
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I think Washburn would be a poor addition. Just a name that the Yankees might toss around given his price.
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