Washburn?

[Backtobanks]

From MLBTR:

Twins, Mariners Are Atop Washburn's "Wish List"

By Mark Polishuk [January 26 at 6:29pm CST]

With the likes of Ben Sheets and Jon Garland now signed, FOX Sports' Jon Paul Morosi provided an update on Jarrod Washburn, one of the few high-profile arms left on the rapidly dwindling free-agent pitching market. Morosi quotes a source who said that Garland only wants to play in “a limited number of places,” namely Minnesota and Seattle.

 

The Twins have made one attempt to sign Washburn: an offer worth roughly $5MM that was rejected earlier this month. Given Minnesota's signing of Carl Pavano to serve as the veteran anchor of their rotation, Washburn would've been a luxury that the Twins may feel that they can live without.

 

As for the Mariners, we've heard some whispers that they might be interested in bringing Washburn back to the city where he pitched from 2006 to last year's trade deadline. The M's have already spent a lot of money this offseason, but Washburn might be enticed to return to a familiar situation for a contract akin to the one he turned down from Minnesota. Then again, Washburn is a Scott Boras client, so a bargain could be hard to come by.

 

Another source tells Morosi that six teams "have inquired" about Washburn. Aside from Minnesota and Seattle, we've heard Washburn linked to such suitors as Milwaukee (who are probably out of the running after signing Randy Wolf and Doug Davis), Kansas City and the Mets. Morosi also points out that the Cubs could join the Washburn sweepstakes in the wake of missing out on Sheets.

 

Can't see how the Cubs would get involved, especially since they didn't seem to be serious suitors for Sheets. Another case of idle speculation by a sportswriter.

[Post Count Padder]

Yeah, this doesn't make much sense, and he wants more than he's worth.

[JonJayCutler]

I'd be all for Washburn at the right price. However, I don't see how we have any spending money left unless payroll has been increased.

[MWV]

Then Miguel Batista?

[Clem Fandango]

Seems like the Cubs have been linked to all the remaining FA pitchers out there lately. Sounds like journalists just tossing in a big market team because most people will buy it as fact

[haubrich91]

If we're gonna spend $5M+ on a pitcher, I'd rather go with Bedard.

 

Still can't believe Pavano got $7M haha.