As the July 31 deadline approaches, one of the most likely trade candidates mentioned in Seattle-New York trade rumors has been Jarrod Washburn. The Ms would love to shed his massively overpaid salary, while the Yanks need a starter who can eat innings, even if he does it in mediocre, Jarrod-esque fashion. That Wishy-Washburn has been good of late (since a May 21 2IP, 9ER meltdown, he's only given up more than 2 ER in two of his ten starts) makes him seem all the more attractive to the pinstripes.
And today, Peter Abraham reports in his LoHud blog that the Yanks are thinking of a swap that would not only rid the Ms of Washburn, they'd also get to dump anti-DH Jose Vidro, too. In return, the Ms would get Kei Igawa and a "B-level prospect," along with a salary swap that means the Yanks would eat a $7M difference in contracts. Kei Igawa has been a disappointment thus far, though some speculate that he's been suffering from the Bright Lights, Big City effect of pitching in the Big Apple. A move to a smaller market team, especially an Asian-friendly one like Seattle, with fellow J-ball players Ichiro and Kenji Johjima, might be just the thing for Igawa.
But wait--i'm burying the lead here. Dumping Washburn and Vidro, even if they have to assume the lighter burden of Igawa's $9.4M contract, is a steal of a deal. Even if Igawa doesn't work out, and the B-level prospect washes out, too, that's two more millstones from the Bavasi era that we unload. Who cares if they end up with the Yankees? Who cares if they suddenly blossom into real-deal players the way they never could in Seattle? We should be happy to shed such high-priced mediocrity at any discount at all.
Of course, there are plenty of trade rumors circulating around, with the deadline only a week away, and Washburn-to-the-Yanks has been bandied about so much, one wonders if it's too good to be true. Ditto with the many, many teams interested in newly minted Pittsburgh closer Damaso Marte. Often it's the less-heralded deals that end up happening. But it might explain why the Ms have been reluctant to cut the light-hitting Vidro, as I've been begging them to do.
Still, Ms fans can dream of shedding Jarrod and Jose with one fell swoop, can't we? Gives us something to dream about in this nightmare season, anyway.
Comments
Reports say that the M's aren't interested in Igawa, and that the Yanks refuse to give up even a low level prospect unless the M's take Igawa or eat some of Wash's salary.
Look for Rhodes to move to the Brewers, as their scout was in Toronto watching tonight.
Good and bad news, I suppose. Good to not take on Igawa, bad not to lose Washburn. I like Rhodes, but he's better suited to a pennant-contender than a team building for the future, so let's hope the Ms get someone in return.
Thanks for the update, ZV!
One way or the other, it looks like the Yankees will be taking on Washburn; the issue is what the Ms will get in return. Jarrod's still starting tomorrow, but it will be nice to think that's his last start in Seattle.
As we Ms fans have said so often to the pitches Washburn throws, which are then turned into home runs: Buh-bye!