Headlines

Go To Pro Hockey Rumors
Go To Hoops Rumors

Mariners Rumors

Discussion: Jarrod Washburn

By | at

Jarrod Washburn is having a bit of a resurgence this season, sporting a 3.22 ERA, with a 2.37 ERA over his previous six games. Slight improvement in his strikeout rate plus increased success against left-handed hitters (.162 against) have the 34 year old seeming a decent commodity.

Peter Gammons said Washburn could be had. The Dodgers have reportedly been eyeing the veteran lefty; however a Juan Pierre for Washburn swap would not work because of Pierre's contract. Washburn has around $5.9MM left on his contract, as well as no-trade protection.

Greg Johns at the Seattle Post Intelligencer thinks the Mariners should not sell high, even as Washburn's value peaks with every good outing. Barring a good package of prospects, Johns feels that Seattle "will want to continue riding Washburn's strong season and see how far they can go." After all, they're only 2.5 games behind the first place Rangers, and are 7-3 in their last 10 games.

Johns also notes Washburn's balky left knee causes him discomfort every pitch. Mike Sweeney is quoted in the piece saying, "He can barely walk the four days between starts. His knee is killing him, he's got a bad back. Yet every fifth day he goes out and pitches with all his heart."

If the standings don't change dramatically before the July 31st trade deadline, would the Mariners be better suited to sell high on Jarrod Washburn?

Jamie Burke DFA’d Again

By | at

According to Larry LaRue of the Seattle News Tribune, reserve Jamie Burke was designated for assignment by the Marines today to make room for Kenji Johjima. This marks the third time this season that the veteran catcher has been DFA'd. Says LaRue,

Over the next 10 days, Burke, 37, will either be traded, claimed by another team or offered a minor league deal. LaRue writes,

"He still wants to play, thinks he can still help a pitching staff, still do the small things a reserve is asked to do. Will he ever get another chance? That's uncertain, and he knows it. If he returns to the Seattle minor league system, he could be brought up in September – but the Mariners by then could want to look, instead, at Adam Moore."

Stark On Lee, DeRosa, Phillies, Rays, Beltre

By | at

Jayson Stark of ESPN.com calls this one of the slowest-moving trade markets in a while, but provides lots of rumors anyways:

  • Teams are making introductory calls now to set the tone for the next five weeks.
  • One official looking to add a reliever says no one is available.
  • With so few teams willing to part with players, sellers are asking for a lot.
  • The Brewers, Dodgers, Phillies and Mets are among the teams to call about Cliff Lee. The Indians would still have to be overwhelmed to part with him.
  • The Cubs have considered trying to reacquire Mark DeRosa.
  • They've also done some preliminary searching for a bat, but they're not sure where they'd play a new hitter so that gives the versatile DeRosa extra appeal.
  • Stark's heard nothing to suggest Bobby Valentine will end up managing the Nationals.
  • The Phillies have given indications that they'd part with Michael Taylor and/or Jason Donald in a deal for a top starter.
  • However, they won't listen on these players: Dominic Brown, Lou Marson, Kyle Drabek, Jason Knapp, Carlos Carrasco and Antonio Bastardo.
  • Doug Davis and Ian Snell aren't Phillies targets.
  • The Rays are looking for long-term upgrades. They'd like to acquire "the next J.P. Howell."
  • They're asking about young corner outfielders, rather than Jermaine Dye types.
  • Pedro Martinez still wants a $5MM salary (prorated) plus incentives, so don't expect him to sign soon.
  • The Reds have the best minor leaguers in the division and some could become trade chips.
  • The Mets checked in on Garrett Atkins.
  • Tony Reagins believes 2009 free agent Vladimir Guerrero can still hit.
  • At least one scout can't imagine Adrian Beltre being traded. Makes sense, given his shoulder injury and contract.

Odds And Ends: Beltre, Capuano, Blanton

By | at

More links to read in anticipation of John Smoltz's Red Sox debut…

  • Larry Larue of the News Tribune reports that Adrian Beltre will need surgery on his shoulder at some point, but he's trying to play through the pain for now. He says he doesn't want teams to question his health when he becomes a free agent this winter. 
  • Tom Haudricourt of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel says we shouldn't expect to see Chris Capuano pitch in 2009. 
  • Check out RotoAuthority for a closer look at a pitcher who may have value in fantasy leagues: Joe Blanton.
  • ESPN.com's Jorge Arangure says the Pirates, Brewers and Tigers are among the teams with the strongest scouting presence in Cuba. 

Odds & Ends: Mariners, Phillies, Padres

By | at

Serving up absolutely the most hyper of links from across the baseball sphere, with more to come:

  • Mariners GM Jack Zduriencik sat down for a lengthy Q&A with fans on MLB.com. Ever wanted to know what it's like to be a GM? "It's cool," says Zduriencik.
  • David Murphy at the Philadelphia Inquirer talked to Phillies GM Ruben Amaro, who echoes a belief around the league: “I think things will heat up late, because everybody is still kind of in it,” he said.
  • According to Jorge Arangure at ESPN the Magazine, the Padres are keeping tabs on Dominican OF Jose Alberto Peña and pitcher Cristopher Cabrera.
  • Paul DePodesta says the Padres have come to terms with their third, fifth and seventh round picks.
  • Juan C. Rodriguez at the Sun-Sentinel wonders if the Marlins should go after Luis Ayala now that Matt Lindstrom has hit the DL.
  • Eric Seidman at Fangraphs takes a nifty look at batting average on ground balls. David Wright currently leads the majors with a .471 average in that department.
  • Geoff Baker at the Seattle Times discusses the ramifications of potential trade piece Adrian Beltre's recent bout with bone spurs.

Odds And Ends: Brewers, Magglio, White Sox

By | at

More links for Tuesday… 

  • ESPN.com's Jorge Arangure Jr. hears the Royals are a likely destination for Cheslor Cuthbert, a Nicaraguan prospect who would command a bonus of about $1MM.
  • Jon Heyman of SI.com hears from a Mets official that the team "will not mortgage [their] future" this summer in any trades.
  • Bud Shaw of the Cleveland Plain Dealer continues to argue that firing Eric Wedge won't solve the Indians' problems even though Mike Hargrove, who some would like to see back in Cleveland, is a skilled manager.
  • Tom Verducci of SI.com says Donald Fehr did his job well- too well, in fact. Check the story out for some anecdotes from years ago.
  • The Detroit Free Press reports that Magglio Ordonez returns to the Tigers' lineup tonight.
  • ESPN.com's Rob Neyer suggests the Mariners should choose talent over sentiment if they're serious about winning this year.
  • Mark Gonzales of the Chicago Tribune reports that the White Sox signed second round pick David Holmberg.
  • I'll be talking rumors with the Benchwarmers on 590 KFNS in St. Louis at 11pm CST tonight so tune in if you're in the area or online.

Odds And Ends: Phillips, Mets, Pirates

By | at

Links for Tuesday morning…

Heyman: Ten Teams That Could Add Payroll

By | at

Jon Heyman of SI.com provides a list of ten teams that could add payroll. He adds the Angels, Brewers, Red Sox and Brewers to the list we assembled last week. Here are his ten teams:

  • The Red Sox could add payroll, but they don't have significant needs.
  • The Mets could add payroll and they need a hitter who can play first, the outfield, or both.
  • The Phillies could add payroll to acquire pitching.
  • The Angels, with several contracts expiring this year (Vladimir Guerrero, John Lackey, Chone Figgins), could add salary.
  • The Giants could take on payroll to add a bat.
  • The Brewers and Cardinals could both free up money to add a pitcher or hitter.
  • The Tigers, White Sox and Dodgers round out Heyman's list, but he warns us not to rule out the Yankees.
  • Don't look for the White Sox to deal prospects away to increase their playoff chances, even though they trail the Tigers by just 5.0 games.
  • On another note, no one's called the Mariners about Adrian Beltre.

M’s Still Need Long Term Deal For Hernandez

By | at

Ryan Divish of The News Tribune says the Mariners must find a way to sign Felix Hernandez to a long-term contract extension. Divish says simply, "There is no pitcher in the organization who is comparable in terms of talent or potential. None. He’s an ace, a front-of-the-rotation horse who doesn’t come around often. And you need to keep him."

Hernandez is making $3.8MM this season and is under club control until 2011. Obviously the M's want to get this done. In March 2008, they reportedly made an offer but talks seemingly stagnated. Before 2008, $15-17MM seemed a fair amount to buy out his arbitration years. So far in 2009, Hernandez's price tag has surely increased and it's scary to think he could improve further. Divish notes,

"[Hernandez] would rather give up back-to-back grand slams than talk about his contract status. Why? Perhaps he doesn’t want the distraction, or perhaps he is looking forward to free agency and the certainly gargantuan payday that most likely awaits him."

Gammons’ Latest: Red Sox, Washburn, DeRosa

By | at

In his latest blog post at ESPN.com, Peter Gammons writes that "unless someone comes up with a Justin Smoak, Matt LaPorta or Brett Wallace," the Red Sox will hold on to Brad Penny and enjoy the depth. He says no one will offer up a prospect like that for a few months of Penny.

Here's the rest of Gammons' rumors:

  • Takashi Saito is the pitcher on Boston's staff most likely to be traded.
  • Jake Peavy and Erik Bedard "probably won't be tradeable before Aug. 1" because of their injuries.
  • Jarrod Washburn could be had.
  • The Red Sox have talked to the Angels about infielder Maicer Izturis, but the talks haven't gone anywhere
  • Mark Mulder "made considerable progress refinding his delivery after one session with pitching coach Rick Peterson."
  • The Mets are looking for an outfield bat. They made a run at Mark DeRosa, but wouldn't discuss Bobby Parnell.
  • The Cardinals wouldn't discuss Jason Motte or Chris Perez in exchange for DeRosa.
  • The uncertain situation surrounding the Cubs' ownership will likely prohibit any major additions.
Show all

MLB Trade Rumors is not affiliated with Major League Baseball, MLB or MLB.com

Do not Sell or Share My Personal Information

hide arrows scroll to top