Comments on: Washburn, With A Twist

By: dmanjam

dmanjam — Sat, 13 Feb 2010 18:48:59 +0000

Washburn will not sign for 2 or 3 million, more like 4 or 5. He would retire, then wait until injuries happen. We are not that desperate but someone will be. After over paying for this guy for a long time, only to have him come through in a salary year I say move on. We don’t any Bavasi remnants on this team.

By: Toddk

Toddk — Thu, 11 Feb 2010 20:19:55 +0000

Iâ€™m curious to see what Bedardâ€™s line is comparable to this.

If you go to Fangraphs and enter his name, then click on the splits tab you come up with this page. It's all there, have fun.

By: joeljitsu24

joeljitsu24 — Wed, 10 Feb 2010 08:17:37 +0000

What I found surprised me, honestly. Hereâ€™s Washburnâ€™s left/right splits in categories that matter since 2002:

Vs LHB: 2.22 BB/9, 7.31 K/9, 40.6% GB%, 3.93 xFIP
vs RHB: 2.77 BB/9, 4.55 K/9, 34.9% GB%, 5.15 xFIP

I’m curious to see what Bedard’s line is comparable to this. Perhaps, the bullpen scenario would best be suited for him rather than Washburn. Wash eats up more innings than Bedard has. Plus, coming off the injury/surgery can put him in a low-impact role from the pen. And if you get into the politics of it, most likely Washburn gets more money so you leave him as a starter and put the guy who isn’t at the same pay level in the ‘pen.

Sorry if I have repeated some ideas but there are 55 other comments ahead of this and I didn’t want to read through all of them….shoot me

By: DMZ

DMZ — Tue, 09 Feb 2010 06:38:55 +0000

I think Taylor’s being ironic there.

By: eponymous coward

eponymous coward — Tue, 09 Feb 2010 06:19:37 +0000

What’s strange about it? If your boss said, “Great job, we’re cutting your pay by two thirds”, you were independently wealthy enough to go “take this job and shove it”, and your job was a mixed bag you were going to have to leave soon anyway, causing you to travel a lot away from family, why not just walk away now instead of waiting for someone to cut you as a spring training NRI in a year or three?

By: Taylor H

Taylor H — Tue, 09 Feb 2010 04:48:11 +0000

Some would rather walk away than accept a diminished role.

Ah yes, the strange mental complex of the professional athlete….

By: DrM

DrM — Tue, 09 Feb 2010 02:46:41 +0000

If we had unlimited resources I guess I’m okay with the idea of Washburn as a starter/lefty reliever but I’m not sure he’s a better starter than what we currently have (Fister/Vargas) short-term or long-term and I’m not sure he is better (in either price or performance) than free agent lefty relievers still out there (Beimel, Ohman, etc).

By: SonOfZavaras

SonOfZavaras — Tue, 09 Feb 2010 02:26:38 +0000

I’ve skewered Washburn more than once, I’ve probably called him “Washrag” more often than his own given surname in posts.

But this article is exactly in line with my own thoughts on the matter. I’ve no qualms with a Jarrod Washburn keeping Bedard’s spot warm, and then becoming a decent lefty long-relief option afterward (IF Bedard reclaims his post as anticipated).

It’s precisely what I would do if I’m in the GM’s shoes. Just make the money sensible.

By: Goody

Goody — Tue, 09 Feb 2010 00:46:57 +0000

I would rather a veteran LH (Washburn) coming in to face Joe Mauer than an unproven player(French). Worst case scenario is that he becomes a set-up guy. Best case is he returns to last seasons pre trade pitcher and with smoke and mirrors guts out a 13 win season.

By: diderot

diderot — Mon, 08 Feb 2010 23:51:10 +0000

If Doug Davis can sign a shiny new $5.25 million contract, one can only imagine what Jarrod Washburn is worth . . .
I donâ€™t see Washburn signing a deal like this

Well sure, if someone else offers him a guaranteed starting gig for $4m-$5m, why wouldn’t he take that?

On the other hand, if his choices are whatever we offer him or retirement, then that’s the kind of leverage a Boras can appreciate. There may never be anyone as stupid as Hicks in giving A-Rod $100 million more than his own last offer…but why should we give the Bus even $100 more than we want? If he doesn’t like it, then he can take the retirement option.