Washburn Comes Back To Bite Our Booty Again

Slica · 11-24-2006, 05:23 AM

Some of you probably already realize Washburn's affects on the M's this offseason. It isn't too obvious, either. Basically, the Mariners last year put a tack in the Angels' chair, only to accidentally sit on it theirselves. Look at this from the Times:

LINK

And in any discussions with the Mariners, Seattle's decision last year to give Jarrod Washburn a four-year, $37 million contract will be front and center. Washburn hasn't topped 11 victories in a season since 2002, and agents continuously bring up his deal as a reference point for negotiations.

Larry O'Brien, the agent for Lilly, has had two conversations with Mariners officials the past couple of weeks and doesn't mince words.

"We just look at Washburn and what he signed for with the Mariners, and I'll put Ted's numbers up against them any day," O'Brien said.

Lilly also wants to play for a team with a shot at the playoffs, meaning the Yankees and Blue Jays would have a major leg up on Seattle if the offers are close.

Now, the Washburn contract is still bad, but isn't looking as bad as we will probably see in the coming months, but this just sucks. Now even the mediocre pitchers are planning on cleaning the M's wallets if they wanna fill THREE rotation spots. (Really 2, since Woods or Baek are said to have the 3rd one...via the same article)

Its not a big DUH! that agents are smart, and the M's main guys are pretty dumb. But I never noticed this perspective agents now have on our team, and its even more frustrating.

Wiggen · 11-24-2006, 11:49 AM

The fact that there are teams lining up to sign Ted Lilly for big dollars tells you everything you need to know about this year's free agent market - and maybe about the free agent market for the forseeable future.

More and more I'm thinking the best approach is to fill in around the edges, try and get a productive bat, and hope one of the kids works out. This is ridiculous.

Goose · 11-24-2006, 01:12 PM

Well then if I'm the Mariners I tell Larry O'Brien to go jump off a cliff.

JasonAChurchill · 11-24-2006, 08:01 PM

... Which brings me to this...

If Ted Lilly and Gil Meche and Vicente Paddila get 9+ million per season, why wouldn't some club want Jarrod Washburn for virtually nothing via trade, if the M's either tossed in six mil in cash to make Wash a 7.5 mil per year lefty, or took on a contract in return that did the equivalent?

Washburn is not untradable.

11-24-2006, 05:23 AM	#1 (permalink)
Slica Member Join Date: Nov 2006 Posts: 168	Washburn Comes Back To Bite Our Booty Again Some of you probably already realize Washburn's affects on the M's this offseason. It isn't too obvious, either. Basically, the Mariners last year put a tack in the Angels' chair, only to accidentally sit on it theirselves. Look at this from the Times: LINK And in any discussions with the Mariners, Seattle's decision last year to give Jarrod Washburn a four-year, $37 million contract will be front and center. Washburn hasn't topped 11 victories in a season since 2002, and agents continuously bring up his deal as a reference point for negotiations. Larry O'Brien, the agent for Lilly, has had two conversations with Mariners officials the past couple of weeks and doesn't mince words. "We just look at Washburn and what he signed for with the Mariners, and I'll put Ted's numbers up against them any day," O'Brien said. Lilly also wants to play for a team with a shot at the playoffs, meaning the Yankees and Blue Jays would have a major leg up on Seattle if the offers are close. Now, the Washburn contract is still bad, but isn't looking as bad as we will probably see in the coming months, but this just sucks. Now even the mediocre pitchers are planning on cleaning the M's wallets if they wanna fill THREE rotation spots. (Really 2, since Woods or Baek are said to have the 3rd one...via the same article) Its not a big DUH! that agents are smart, and the M's main guys are pretty dumb. But I never noticed this perspective agents now have on our team, and its even more frustrating.

11-24-2006, 01:12 PM	#3 (permalink)
Goose Moderator Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Aberdeen,Wa Posts: 1,190	Well then if I'm the Mariners I tell Larry O'Brien to go jump off a cliff. __________________

11-24-2006, 11:49 AM	#2 (permalink)
Wiggen Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2006 Posts: 4,433	The fact that there are teams lining up to sign Ted Lilly for big dollars tells you everything you need to know about this year's free agent market - and maybe about the free agent market for the forseeable future. More and more I'm thinking the best approach is to fill in around the edges, try and get a productive bat, and hope one of the kids works out. This is ridiculous.

11-24-2006, 08:01 PM	#4 (permalink)
JasonAChurchill Member Join Date: Nov 2006 Posts: 154	... Which brings me to this... If Ted Lilly and Gil Meche and Vicente Paddila get 9+ million per season, why wouldn't some club want Jarrod Washburn for virtually nothing via trade, if the M's either tossed in six mil in cash to make Wash a 7.5 mil per year lefty, or took on a contract in return that did the equivalent? Washburn is not untradable.