More clarity on the Washburn negotiations
Posted on August 16th, 2008 – 9:35 AMBy Joe Christensen
Some interesting notes from the Seattle papers today:
1) Jarrod Washburn, who lives 90 minutes from the Twin Cities, in Danbury, Wis., would have loved to pitch for the Twins.
“It would have been ideal,” he told the Seattle Times. “It would have been perfect. I would have gotten to go to a place that’s contending, and it’s in my own backyard.”
Washburn could be placed on waivers again, but 30 days must pass, so it would be after the Aug. 31 deadline to set playoff rosters. In other words, probably won’t happen.
2) The M’s did not turn down an offer of Boof Bonser for Washburn, contrary to the indications I was given Thursday. An M’s official told the Seattle Post-Intelligencer they “would have jumped at it,” if Bonser had been offered.
Nick Blackburn’s name did come up but was pulled early, both papers reported.
3) The Time’s Larry Stone received indications the M’s were willing to pay part of Washburn’s salary to help get a better player.
“In general, on the issue of dumping salaries, our goal here is to get better,” M’s GM Lee Pelekoudas told the Times. “Even back to the trade deadline, and moving forward, we want to get players back that will make us better now and in the future.
“Money can give you flexibility, but there’s no guarantee you can turn that flexibility into anything.”
Clearer picture, same simple facts
Knowing this and knowing what I was told Thursday, the teams appeared to reach a stalemate with the M’s insisting they would only relinquish Washburn if they received talent (read Blackburn, Bonser, etc.) in return.
The amount of Washburn’s contract the M’s were willing to eat would have increased, presumably, depending on the caliber of player the Twins sent back.
Bottom line: By placing that waiver claim this week, the Twins were willing to take on Washburn’s entire contract — $13 million through the end of 2009 for a 34-year-old lefty who is 5-12 with a 4.58 ERA — and the M’s walked away from the chance.
35 Responses to "More clarity on the Washburn negotiations"
Mariners…morons.
The Twins also tried to put a claim on Ibanez as well did they not?
I’m wondering if the Twins were going to try and convince Seattle to give up Ibanez by offering to take on some of Washburn’s salary as well.
That’s how Boston got Beckett wasn’t it? Had to take Lowell with it.
That would’ve possibly justified a few players (MLBer and a low prospect) that Seattle was asking for.
Washburn would have been a nice addition, considering how thin the pitching is after losing Garza and Santana. While Washburn is not nearly as good as those two, he could have offered some needed depth.
I’m sure Washburn is really bummed out that this didn’t come to fruition. I’m still not sure it would have helped us much though.
Anyone catch the Sox on the tube last night. I love watching them blow a game. Especially called by their idiot broadcasters. 3 jacks in 2 innings without one “you can put it on the board….Yes!”. Classic.
It would have been nice to get Washburn.
But while I feel Bonser is expendable Blackburn is not.
I just don’t know what Washburn would add. Is he better than ANY of our current starters? The numbers suggest “no” - and he pitches in a “pitcher’s park”. And he’s WAY more expensive than any of them. If the Mariners didn’t pick up salary and if the Twins budget is in the $70-80 million range for next year (realistically, that’s what it will be), then he would account for 1/7 - 1/8 of the payroll. If they want to take a chance on somebody, I would think they could find someone with similar ability for a lot cheaper.
OK. I am a little confused why the Twins wouldn’t give up Bonser for Washburn. Seems like a no-brainer.
First we don’t put a claim on a good reliever in Chad Bradford and then we won’t trade for a potentially solid veteran starter because we won’t trade Bonser who at times this year has looked down right horrible.
Bill Smith, despite this team’s good record, has been a pretty questionable GM so far.
[…] Originally published by Around the Majors […]
The M’s should have traded Washburn to someone @ the July 31 deadline, he was 3-3 with a 2.80 ERA in June & July. Since the deadline he is 0-3 5.09. I agree with an earlier post on a different blog that our front office is better than most right now. Good players come with a big price tag, there is no need to mortgage the future for a chance at right now, which may happen anyway. Winning this year that is. Getting Casilla back will be like picking up a player, Everett has played very well and Liriano has been outstanding. Gardy and Andy need to trust the kids to get 6 or 7 innings to help the bullpen guys. And, oh no I can’t believe I’m going to say this, maybe Nathan is good for 2 inning saves sometimes if the rest of the pen is tired.
I don’t think we needed Washburn, what for? Theres not one starter right now for the Twins that is struggling. I know Perkins and Blackburn had a few bad outings but it happens. We’ve made it this far with the players that got us here, why not stick with them? I’m glad we didn’t take Washburn, but I’m bummed we couldn’t snag Ibanez. I dont think Gomez will ever live up to expectations. He strikes out way too much and doesnt have any power.
The Twins don’t really need a starter right now, but by picking up Washburn they most likely planned on moving one of the current starters to the bullpen where were in dire need. I think perkins would of been able to help the most in the bullpen (Slowey and Blackburn are finesse pitchers). Plus Perkins has been walking a fine line if you look at his stats, a lot of guys get on base against him and I think putting him back in the bullpen where he only chucks one inning would help. Basically I think our options were Liriano or Perkins to the pen, and I doubt Liriano was an option.
I’m also not really ready to give up on Bonser, the guy throws 95 and hopefully this offseason or this season if he gets some confidence back they can turn him into a bullpen man, 7th inning I think is a possibility for him.
Being the Twins though you know we have to be cautious with talent to contend so not making this deal makes me happy, but if the M’s would of taken the salary dump trade I think it would of benefited us a lot.
Other than possibly bringing up a pitcher from the minors for the bullpen, it looks like we are not making any moves to bolster this team for a potential playoff run.
I can’t see us trading for Aubrey Huff from the Orioles, who cleared waivers, and I could never see them signing Barry Bonds who, despite the circus, I think would look awesome hitting behind Morneau. Does anyone know if we would have to give up our first round draft pick next year to sign Bonds? That is probably what is killing his value.
Gomez doesn’t have power? He’s a speedster whose taught to have a quick short swing and he’s hit more than 5hr this year while missing some time. The guy has some pop in his bat, no doubt about that. Gomez is very raw right now and I’m not saying he’ll be a superstar, but its way too early to give up. We have no room for Ibanez, Twins have too many guys that have bright futures and can break out at anytime. We just need to hope atleast a couple do. I honestly think Kubel is our biggest power threat, but right now he needs to be platooned, Young and Gomez can break out anytime and I have a good feeling Young is getting closer. Span is looking like a pretty solid player, hopefully he can hold on. Give Gomez an entire offseason in Twins camp and he’ll start molding into form. Not the most ideal outfield but any combination of Kubel/Young/Gomez/Span has been pretty good to us so far and the Twins weren’t really sure what to do when Cuddy came back so why would we trade for a player to put ourselves in that position?
why does it matter if we give one of our starters with boof for both of them i thought duensing was suppose to be the man and or humber/mulvey
I don’t think the Twins need a bat for a playoff run. When we get casilla back and punto out of the lineup we’ll be better. The problem is we have 3 guys in the bullpen were trying to hide(Bonser, Breslow, Bass) because they’re out of options so they can’t be sent down to the minors and the Twins aren’t ready to give up on them. We need another bullpen arm to help Crain and Nathan. Saying Crain is our second best reliever is scary, but he’s been doing pretty well so keep your fingers cross.
I dont care if bass is out of options he sucks donky balls
Pitching in the MLB is a lot different than the minors. I wouldn’t be so quick to give away a young stud MLB pitchers for washburn. Washburn you know what your to get, an average pitcher. Perkins/Slowey/Blackburn all have potential to be very good MLB pitchers. Ibanez is not a need right now, only make a crowded situation worse, we have talent in our outfield.
Is there any one at Triple A on the 40 man roster that could help us? They apparently don’t like what they see in Korecky or he would have been back already.
Bonsor and $10M for Washburn?
You know, we have invested a roster spot for Bonsor for 3 months now. Obviously the Twins feel as if they have something there. And, you know what, I agree.
He’s young, inexpensive,has had major league success, throws 94 MPH and is under the teams control for three more years. He’s not a throw away. If he has a decent spring, he (and the 10M in salary) will be worth a lot more than Washburn.
I can’t prove it but I’ll go on record as believing that Boof will start in the major leagues once again.
I’d get rid of Bass too, but the Twins don’t like to do that. Twins are going to fight it off until the rosters expand and hopefully bring up the Triple AAA closer whose been doing alright.
Twins could have gotten by without adding a bat just fine, I believe, if Cuddyer could have timed his jump better and not broken his foot. I think he would have added some more juice to our lineup. As far as Bonds compensation goes, I believe he is free and clear from any team and has said he would sign for the Major League minimum. So I’m sure there would be no picks that we would have to give away!
I would kick my dog if Bonds became a Twin.
Why? Is your girlfriend not home?
haha, she’d get a swift kick too the next time she came over. Bonds is scum and needs to worry about staying out of jail.
Bizam - Ibanez would only have been here for the rest of the year. I think he would be a tremendous asset (even though he’s another lefty bat) for the stretch run. And as far as moving Perkins to the bullpen - he’s pretty much a finesse guy too. The only current starters, IMO, who might make good late-inning relievers are Baker and Liriano - and that will not, nor should it be, considered. That, along with price tag (which is HUGE), is why I don’t think Washburn makes much sense.
Bonds may not be the best human being but he gets on base 45 percent of the time and scares pitchers to death.
I didn’t list Liriano and Baker because you’re right they’re not options. Baker is the best/most dependable on our staff right now and Liriano just isn’t an option. If you look back Perkins was a pretty good reliever, he actually threw a little harder coming out of the pen as well.
I also was by no means saying Washburn was ideal, but we need bullpen help, bottom line and I think Perkins could of supplied it while Washburn could eat innings and keep up us in most games.
We have way too much young talent in our outfield, and the only real option would been to demote Gomez. I just don’t think they’d do that being he was the center piece in the Santana trade and he has shown signs of brilliance. He’s also hurt the team at times too, but they think this is the best way for him to learn.
Bonds will not get on base 45% of the time if you bring him back this year. He hasn’t played MLB ball in quite some time now…Pitchers will go right after him.
Span
LNP
Mauer
MVP
3 Run Jack
Ruiz
Harris
Everett
Gomez
Loading up the righties. Who’s picthing again for Mariners?
I thought this whole Bonds thing finally died out weeks ago, but apparently not. Bonds is such a bad idea on so many levels I can’t believe there are people who are still suggesting it. In spite of what a lot of people on the Twins blogs may think, this team is doing just fine.
Casilla is do back soon. Even if he doesn’t produce quite as well as he did before the injury, he should still be able to help the team score more runs than they were without. His bat back in the two hole will also move Punto’s bat back to the bottom third of the order where is was more productive and much more consistent. With Casilla back, the Twins will be one of the healthiest teams in the majors and that is huge this time of year.
And they’ll be just fine on the upcoming 14 game road trip as well. Right now they are 26-31 on the road, but a big part of that road record was Livan’s awful performances. Subtract out all of Livan’s stats on the road and you have a winning road record with an ERA somewhere around 4.00. That is on par with ANY team in the majors.
Chicago is the one that needs to worry. At the all-star break, their pitching staff had the best ERA in the majors. They’ve been sliding ever since. They’re now sixth and I just read something that their team ERA since the break is 5.09. Oh, and one of their best starters is out for the season.
Right now, the AL central is the Twins division to lose. Would it be nice to get a little bullpen help? No doubt. But guess what? They have Korecky and a few others on the farm. They can call them up anytime they want.
So why don’t they? Because it’s only one option and they don’t have to use it just yet. Unlike Chicago, they are not sliding and can afford to sit back and watch the waiver wire. If something they like becomes available they go for it, if not, they turn to the farm.
It’s almost too bad they are playing this well. If the Twins pass Chicago, the Sox will have claim to any player before the Twins. Not only that, they need the pitching much more than the Twins as well. It will much harder to land bullpen help everybody agrees they need.
Oh, and will you people quite with all the bonds talk already!
I agree with a lot of what you say Sploorp, but I think you may be a little over confident. This is gonna be a tough race to the end of the season I think. Also we don’t have options in triple A that we can call up at anytime. For 1, other than Korecky I don’t think there’s any MLB exp and its hard to tell how those kids will do with the pennant pressure and MLB bats.
Also the Twins will wait until roster expansion to get any minor league relief help. Breslow, Bass and Bonser are the guys who would be sent down and they’re all on there last option. The Twins don’t want to risk losing those guys to bring up a minor leaguer. We need to get through this month with what we have and then get some help with expanded rosters.
On another thought - have you seen http://www.battingstanceguy.com and his work on the Twins? its hilarious!
[…] to Joe Christenson of the Minneapolis Star Tribune, we have been able to gain a little insight into what actually went on between the two teams. Simply put, he doesn’t quite get it […]
Are you effing kidding me?? Why would they NOT have traded Bonser? Talent?? My arse…
attended school with Jarrod, he thought he was so great then, he got a bigger head when he got drafted to the angels-won the world series, and thought he was so great to go to the Mariners- he sucks dockey balls. Let someone who can actually do something to recover from the screw ups he has made and get the teams back on track. He was a whiner then and still is.
