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MLB odds: Yankees eye Mariners' Washburn
By Jordan WaltersWagerWeb.com Contributing Writer
| Sports Betting at WagerWeb Online Sportsbook |
The Yankees are trying to add to their pitching staff, but it may not be the big name that Yanks fans want, as New York and Seattle have begun trade discussions that could land left-handed starter Jarrod Washburn heading to the Bronx.
While there’s no doubt Seattle would like to get rid of Washburn and his big contract for next season, the Yankees are hoping to throw in the bad contract of pitcher Kei Igawa in any trade. Thus the stumbling block.
Washburn, 33, doesn’t have great numbers -- 4-9, 4.75 ERA -- but he has been throwing better the past two months, posting a 2.93 ERA in June and a 3.16 ERA in July. And he has a career 2.82 ERA in six starts in Yankee Stadium.
Washburn has about $4 million of his $9.85 million salary remaining this year, plus another $10.35 million next year. Igawa, one of the worst Japanese signings ever who has been banished to the minors, is under contract through 2011 at $4 million a year rate.
In addition, Washburn's limited no-trade protection gives him the right to veto a deal to the Yankees. Players generally require financial compensation to waive no-trade protection, usually in the form of a cash bonus or contract extension, which the Yanks are unlikely to do.
The Mariners are seeking young pitching in return for Washburn. The St. Louis Cardinals are the National League team most often mentioned in also being interested in the lefty.
If a deal with Seattle can’t be worked out, the Yankees also have looked into trades for Blue Jays right-hander A.J. Burnett and Reds righty Bronson Arroyo.
Yet another option for the Yanks is in their own system. They could recall Ian Kennedy from Triple-A, or Newsday reports that fellow Triple-A pitcher Alfredo Aceves is an option and was watched by Yankees GM Brian Cashman lately.
A 25-year-old right-hander, Aceves has surged through the Yankees' minor-league system this year, putting up a 1.92 ERA in 108 innings, striking out 87 and walking just 16.
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