Mariners Trade Rumors

Phillies focusing on third base
Comment
November 19
ESPN.com
 columnist Jayson Stark
"Third base appears to be the Phillies' first order of business once the free-agent negotiating period starts. But they don't seem to have a clear-cut top choice among Mark DeRosa, Placido Polanco and Adrian Beltre. DeRosa is a great fit in many ways, but there are concerns that he's never played 75 games in any season at third base. Polanco has sent signals he's open to playing third for his old team, but he has started only 38 games at third base in the last seven seasons combined. And while Beltre is probably the best pure baseball fit, he figures to want a longer contract than the Phillies are interested in offering. So this hunt could still move in a lot of different directions. Pedro ..."
Free agency lite? Mariners prepare
Comment
November 19
Tacoma News Tribune
 
"An offseason that has seen the Seattle Mariners sign Ken Griffey Jr. and Jack Wilson will heat up considerably Friday, and not just because teams on that day can begin making offers to free agents other than their own. While all teams have zeroed in on players they'd love to acquire in that pool, the Mariners and the 29 other big-league teams will start shopping from another list. One that includes 536 minor league free agents. Tony Blengino, an assistant to Mariners general manager Jack Zduriencik and the team's resident sabermetrician, has been gearing up for Friday for weeks. "I've got 15 pages of minor league free agents, and some will be significant major league players next year," ..."
Washburn could draw big interest
Comment
November 18
Foxsports.com
 
"Jarrod Washburn was one of the most coveted starting pitchers on this year's midseason trade market, before the Mariners dealt him to the Tigers. But he was a disappointment in Detroit, going 1-3 with a 7.33 ERA in eight starts. Only later did we learn that a painful left knee — one that required surgery in October — was largely to blame. Now, the 35-year-old left-hander feels healthy. And if teams believe he's capable of replicating this year's first-half success — 6-6, 2.96 ERA — Washburn could become one of the more attractive free agent pitching options this winter. "The surgery on the knee wasn't real extensive," Washburn told FOXSports.com in a Wednesday e-mail. "Dr. (Lewis) Yocum ..."
Mariners show interest in Tigers RHP Jackson
Comment
November 16
Foxsports.com
 
"Count the Mariners among the teams interested in Tigers right-hander Edwin Jackson. The teams have spoken about Jackson and exchanged names, but the talks "are not all that serious," according to one source with knowledge of the discussions. Jackson, 13-9 with a 3.62 ERA last season, would be a strong complement to ace right-hander Felix Hernandez in the Mariners' rotation. The Tigers, sources say, are seeking minimum-salary pitching for Jackson, whose salary will rise from $2.2 million in arbitration. Mariners right-handers Brandon Morrow and Shawn Kelley both fit that description, and are the types of hard throwers favored by Tigers general manager Dave Dombrowski. The Mariners, one of ..."
Wilson "really, really excited to be back in Seattle"
Comment
November 14
Seattle Times
 
"Here are the contract figures for Jack Wilson: Two years, $10 million guaranteed ($5 million in 2010, $5 million in 2011), plus $250,000 in performance bonuses each year (mostly plate appearances) for a potential $500,000; plus the standard awards package worth a possible $450,000. Again, no option for 2012. The Mariners made two separate transactions today, declining Wilson's option (which required a $600,000 buyout), and then signing the new contract. Wilson was in Seattle yesterday getting a physical, but was back at his home in California today. A couple of things came through in Wilson's conference call with reporters: His frustration over last year's performance after he came over ..."
Ken Griffey Jr. will be a Mariner in 2010
Comment
November 11
Seattle Times
 
"It's official: Ken Griffey Jr. is coming back to the Mariners in 2010. The outfielder, who will be 40 on Nov. 21, has reached a one-year agreement to play his 22nd year in the major leagues, as first reported in The Seattle Times. The Mariners made the announcement this morning. "This is where he belongs," Mariners manager Don Wakamatsu said from Peoria, Ariz., where he is watching M's prospects in the Arizona Fall League. "I'm happy. He was a joy last year." The contract figures are expected to be similar to last year, when Griffey earned $3.15 million in a contract that included incentives for attendance and playing time. His base salary in 2009 was $2 million, but it's likely the base ..."
M's GM may be keen on lefty Davis
Comment
November 11
Foxsports.com
 
"Mariners general manager Jack Zduriencik is familiar with free agent left-hander Doug Davis, from their time together in Milwaukee. The two have a good relationship, one source said today, so it wouldn't be a surprise if the Mariners viewed Davis as a good fit for pitcher-friendly Safeco Field. Jarrod Washburn (in Seattle) and Kenny Rogers (in Detroit) are similar lefties who have thrived in big home ballparks. With Franklin Gutierrez in center and Ichiro Suzuki in right, the Mariners have the makings of a very good outfield defense. That would make Davis a more attractive option."
Branyan declines Mariners' one-year offer
Comment
November 11
MLB.com
 
"Free-agent first baseman Russell Branyan has rejected a one-year offer from the Mariners and though he still hopes to return to Seattle next season, he said he would rather test the market than settle for anything less than a two-year deal. "I'm not a bad guy, not a selfish guy," he said from his offseason home. "I don't know if there is a two- or three-year deal out there for me, but I would like to have more than a one-year deal. I don't want another one-and-done [contract]." Branyan signed a one-year, $1.4 million contract with Seattle last December and responded with a career year, leading the team with 31 home runs and had a single-season high 76 RBIs before a herniated disk in his ..."
Russell Branyan passes on Mariners' offer
Comment
November 11
Seattle Times
 
"Amid indications that finalization of Ken Griffey Jr.'s return is nearing, Russell Branyan has turned down the Mariners' one-year contract offer but remains hopeful of working out a deal to remain in Seattle. Meanwhile, Ichiro was voted an American League Gold Glove for the ninth consecutive year, while center fielder Franklin Gutierrez was passed over. Branyan said his offer from the Mariners included an option for a second year. He is seeking a guaranteed two-year contract. Branyan has filed for free agency, but the M's retain exclusive negotiating rights with the 33-year-old first baseman until Nov. 20. "I'm highly optimistic," Branyan said in a telephone interview. "I don't feel like ..."
Halladay more likely to go than Gonzalez
Comment
November 10
SI.com
 
"Baseball people seem to believe that of the two superstar players available in trade -- Roy Halladay and Adrian Gonzalez -- Halladay is more likely to be moved for a few important reasons, such as: 1) He's eligible for free agency after this year, whereas the Padres have Gonzalez for two more years. 2) He makes $16 million to only about $5 million for Gonzalez, who has $10.25 mil over two remaining. 3) He wants out of Toronto. In an especially weak free-agent starting-pitching market, Halladay, 31, would draw interest from several teams, and with a new GM in Toronto (Alex Anthopoulos replaced J.P. Ricciardi), the whole game could change. It isn't known how Padres GM Jed Hoyer or ..."
Mariners in the market for punch at the plate
Comment
November 10
Foxsports.com
 
"The Mariners will at least "kick the tires" on free agent left fielder Jason Bay, one major- league source said, as they consider ways to stimulate an offense that finished last in the American League with 640 runs scored. Bay lives in the Seattle area, which enhances his appeal. But other right-handed power hitters — Richie Sexson and Adrian Beltre, to name two — have struggled in their first seasons at Safeco Field. One way or the other, the Mariners seem likely to add an impact bat before Opening Day. Their budget is too big, and their need too great, for them to stand pat. The Mariners could also reconfigure their infield in an attempt to score more runs. The team hasn't ruled out the ..."
Harden could be good fit for M's
Comment
November 10
Foxsports.com
 
"Free agent Rich Harden could be a fit for the Mariners, if they decide to upgrade their rotation. (Offense is their main priority.) Harden has had success in the American League West and was born in nearby Victoria, B.C. "He could commute on a seaplane," quipped one person in the industry. A number of teams could benefit from adding a power arm like Harden, but questions persist about his durability."
Free-agent market thin at first base
Comment
November 10
MLB.com
 
"Last year, the first-base class of free agents had a first-class front-runner in Mark Teixeira. This time around, it's more of a contender-by-committee situation, with talent available but no Type A headliner to pull in anything close to what Big Tex commanded on his joyride to the Bronx. Carlos Delgado was on the "A Team" a few years back, but after hip surgery and a down year in New York, he's Type B and a possible question mark in the areas of mobility and bat speed at the age of 37 (38 in late June). And speaking of question marks, Nick Johnson, another attractive free-agent option because of his high on-base percentage (career .402), just can't seem to stay healthy for a full ..."
The buzz on Felix
Comment
November 10
Seattle Times
 
"A few stories about Felix Hernandez are emerging from the first day of the GM Meetings in Chicago, and Jack Zduriencik is saying pretty much what he's said all along: The Mariners are fully intent on signing Hernandez, but they are keeping their options open. Here's one. Here's another, And another. And another."
Figgins a tough decision for Angels
Comment
November 8
Orange County Register
 columnist Mark Whicker
"On July 14, 2001, the Register reported the Angels had traded Kimera Bartee to Colorado for an infielder named Desmond Figgins. Desmond DeChone Figgins, to be precise. None of his three names seemed destined for fame. Figgins had spent two years in the Carolina League. He did have a fanciful 34 triples that second year, but he was in Double-A when the Angels got him. It was hard to imagine that he would ever be a tough decision for the Angels. He is now. Assuming that he files for free agency, Chone Figgins is fixing to find out how much he is loved and, more important, valued. He is one of the best offensive players in this class. Even the most critical Angels fans must admit that Figgins ..."
Mariners claim pitcher Yusmeiro Petit from Arizona
Comment
November 5
Seattle Times
 
"According to numerous outlets, right-handed pitcher Yusmeiro Petit has been claimed off waivers by the Mariners. Not an earth-shattering move, but just another piece of pitching inventory being stockpiled by Jack Zduriencik. As the Arizona Republic story points out, Petit has allowed 1.96 home runs per nine innings, tied for the worst rate in major league history. Maybe Safeco Field will help with his longball problem. Or not. Lookout Landing and USS Mariner both weighed in on Petit, concluding, essentially, that it was a gamble worth taking, but don't expect too much. Here are his stats, and here he is in action. Here's his yearbook photo. OK, it's not really his yearbook photo. Petit ..."
Report: Tigers' Jarrod Washburn would like to return to Mariners
Comment
November 4
Detroit News
 
"Free-agent left-hander Jarrod Washburn, not likely to re-sign with the Tigers, says a return to the Seattle Mariners would be among his top choices. "Seattle definitely is toward the top of my list," Washburn told MLB.com. "I'll just have to see what happens when the free-agent season begins.""
Tigers' free-agent Washburn eyes return to Seattle
Comment
November 4
Detroit Free Press
 
"The Tigers this summer made an investment in pitcher Jarrod Washburn that didn't pay off. Now the lefty could be returning to the team that sent him to Detroit, the Seattle Mariners. Washburn, a free agent, told the Mariners' Web site that Seattle is among the teams at the top of his list. Washburn, 35, went 8-6 with a 2.64 ERA in 20 starts for Seattle before being dealt to Detroit for rookie left-hander Luke French. Washburn was AL pitcher of the month in July with Seattle. But soon after the Tigers acquired him at the July 31 trading deadline, a knee injury prevented him from pitching effectively."
Mariners jump into race to sign Cuba's Aroldis Chapman
Comment
October 29
Seattle Times
 
"The Mariners are jumping into the race to sign Aroldis Chapman, the left-handed pitching phenom from Cuba. The club has asked to meet with the 21-year-old Chapman and his agent, Edwin Mejia, in the coming week, according to a source. There are no details yet on a date or location of a potential meeting by Chapman with Seattle officials, but the source described the Mariners' interest as "serious." Chapman is being pursued by numerous teams, the Yankees and Red Sox most fervently, according to reports. Chapman had been scheduled to throw a bullpen session Wednesday at Fenway Park in Boston, but it was canceled because of the weather. The Tigers, Cardinals, Mets and Orioles also are linked ..."
Mariners C Johjima opts out of contract, returns to Japan
Comment
October 19
Tacoma News Tribune
 
"The Seattle Mariners announced on Monday that catcher Kenji Johjima has decided to opt out of the last two years of his contract and return to play in Japan. The 33-year-old Johjima agreed to a three-year contract extension with the Mariners in April of 2008. Prior to coming to Seattle, Johjima was a seven- time Gold Glove winner, and a six-time postseason All-Star in Japan. He amassed a career .299 average with 211 home runs and 699 RBI in 11 seasons with Japan's Pacific League Fukuoka Soft Bank Hawks. He was a member of three Pacific League Championship teams (1999, 2000, 2003), and won Japan League titles in 1999 and 2003. "After lots of very deep thought and deliberation, I have ..."
Mariners, GM Jack Zduriencik, face challenging offseason
Comment
October 6
Seattle Times
 
"Jack Zduriencik correctly calls 2009 "a year of redirection" for the Mariners. But after all the hugs and pies and victory laps of Sunday, the big question is: Which direction do the M's head now? So many questions. So many mysteries. So many possibilities. The players are heading home to their various cities, countries and continents. Now it's Zduriencik's time. The offseason began Monday with a staff meeting to plot the future. How well Zduriencik navigates the awesome challenges of the winter of '09/10 will dictate whether this year is a breakthrough or a blip. It was Zduriencik's predecessor, Bill Bavasi, who once made the cogent point that taking a team from bad to respectable is ..."
Griffey finishes as a singular sensation
Comment
October 5
MLB.com
 
"When he stepped into the batter's box for the final time this season, in the eighth inning on Sunday afternoon, the emotions were running rampant inside Ken Griffey Jr. "It was probably the most nervous and emotional roller coaster I have ever been on as a ballplayer," he said. "You never know when it will be your last." At the end of the day, after all the standing ovations, the curtain call, and the ride off Safeco Field on the shoulders of Mariners teammates Ryan Langerhans and Matt Tuiasosopo following Seattle's season-ending 4-3 victory over the Rangers, Griffey was not sure about his baseball future. His eyes were red as he spoke to the media. "I am going to go back to Florida, talk ..."
Mariners have a tough decision to make with Jack Wilson
Comment
October 3
Seattle Times
 
"Two months ago, Jack Wilson arrived in Seattle brimming with excitement. His upbeat mood was only uplifted when he literally walked into Safeco Field as Ken Griffey Jr. was hitting a game-winning double in the seventh inning to beat Toronto. It seemed a match made in baseball heaven, and Mariners general manager Jack Zduriencik reflected the Mariners' optimism in a news release announcing the trade with Pittsburgh that brought Wilson and Ian Snell. "This was an opportunity for us to acquire a veteran shortstop, a former All-Star player, with leadership qualities and above-average defensive skills," Zduriencik said. "As we move forward over the next few years it is nice to know that we have ..."
Chad Cordero trying to pitch his way back to big leagues
Comment
August 28
Seattle Times
 columnist Steve Kelley
"The sun still washes the deep green outfield. The crack of the bat sounds like static electricity in the late afternoon breeze. Music, as eclectic as the players on the field, plays on the public address system. Players lope in the outfield, shagging flies, a scene as eternal as the game itself. In right field in this stadium in one of baseball's backwaters, Chad Cordero, a former All-Star closer, does his part, picking up baseballs and lobbing them to a collection area in short center field. This is a ritual Cordero has repeated thousands of afternoons in more than a hundred ballparks. This is part of his summer, part of his life. "This is awesome," Cordero said, sitting on a metal bench ..."
Erik Bedard likely out for season
Comment
August 8
Seattle Times
 
"There's no definitive word on the status of Erik Bedard's shoulder after his MRI today, but what doctors are seeing is ominous enough that general manager Jack Zduriencik said "it's probably a longshot" that Bedard will pitch again for the Mariners this year. Of course, that means he very well might have thrown his last pitch for them, period, with his contract expiring after the season and free agency looming. In fact, Zduriencik said that surgery is "possible" for Bedard, which would obviously end his season and quite likely his Mariners tenure. "I think it's good news in the fact it's not serious, but bad news in the fact we're probably not going to have him," Zduriencik said. "To me, I ..."
Still-sore Bedard may be done for '09
Comment
August 6
Tacoma News Tribune
 
"Erik Bedard's injury-marred career with the Seattle Mariners might end without him taking the mound again this season, with the veteran lefty's ailing left shoulder shutting him down once again. Bedard won't throw again before undergoing an MRI exam in Seattle on Friday, which will be compared to an earlier MRI of the shoulder. "Erik's frustrated - we all are," manager Don Wakamatsu said. "He wants to come back, we want him back, but the No. 1 thing is, we want to get to the bottom of this. "Right now, he's back to square one." That means Bedard - who was placed on the disabled list in June, then came off for four starts and returned to it last month - is feeling discomfort in the ..."
Sources: Washburn traded to Tigers
Comment
July 31
ESPN.com
 
"The Seattle Mariners have traded left-handed pitcher Jarrod Washburn to the Detroit Tigers for rookie left-hander Luke French and pitching prospect Mauricio Robles, sources tell ESPN. The Yankees, who have considering an upgrade to their rotation, and Mariners also had spoken briefly about a proposal involving Washburn on Thursday afternoon, a source told ESPN The Magazine's Buster Olney. Washburn (8-6) has a 2.64 ERA this season and had won four consecutive starts before taking a no-decision Tuesday against Toronto. In that stretch, the veteran allowed only three earned runs in 36 2/3 innings."
Trade deadline looms as Mariners fall 8 games out of first in AL West
Comment
July 31
Seattle Times
 
"Another lost night for the Mariners ended with players packing up and not knowing whether they'd see each other again in 24 hours. A five-homer night by the Texas Rangers ensured that the Mariners will hit this afternoon's trade deadline eight games out of first place in the American League West and 6 ½ back in the wild-card hunt. And now, his team fresh off a 7-1 thrashing Thursday night, general manager Jack Zduriencik will have to decide whether to part with pitcher Jarrod Washburn and others. Mariners manager Don Wakamatsu said he'll be glad when the whole thing is behind his club. "You don't want to lose guys, but it's reality," Wakamatsu said after his team was routed in front of ..."
Roy Halladay sweepstakes going down to wire
Comment
July 31
New York Daily News
 
"Although he has been the main focus of the baseball world for the past few weeks, Roy Halladay is likely to remain a Blue Jay when the trade deadline arrives at 4p.m. Friday. Barring a last-minute surprise, Toronto appears unlikely to deal the former American League Cy Young winner, as the price set by general manager J.P. Ricciardi has been deemed too high by other teams. According to a source, talks continued yesterday between the Yankees and Mariners, as GM Brian Cashman is looking to bring veteran lefthander Jarrod Washburn to the Bronx for the stretch run. Seattle has been asking for a premium price to part with Washburn, but with the southpaw's contract set to expire at the end of ..."
Yanks not alone in pursuit of Washburn
Comment
July 31
Foxsports.com
 (scroll down)
"The Yankees are not the only team pursuing Mariners left-hander Jarrod Washburn. The Tigers also are interested in Washburn, a major-league source says, and the Brewers could jump back in. Yet, the Mariners still are not sending clear signs that they are willing to move Washburn, who ranks third in the American League with a 2.64 ERA, just ahead of Blue Jays ace Roy Halladay. "The Mariners don't want to send the wrong signs if they trade him," one source says. "It could look like they're giving up." The M's, six games out in the wild-card race and 7 1/2 games out in the AL West, acquired shortstop Jack Wilson and right-hander Ian Snell from the Pirates on Wednesday. They likely would seek ..."
Yankees look like best shot for Washburn
Comment
July 30
SI.com
 
"The Yankees haven't heard back from the Mariners since Seattle requested either Joba Chamberlain or Phil Hughes in an initial conversation about lefty starter Jarrod Washburn, but remain interested at some price. Mariners people are believed to be scouring the list of desirable Yankees players back in Seattle. Top outfield prospect Austin Jackson and catching prospects Jesus Montero and Austin Romine would probably also be off-limits in such a deal, but the Yankees have some other prospects that may interest Seattle. While Mariners GM Jack Zduriencik said on Wednesday that both sides are "open to it" in regard to the consideration for an extension for Washburn in coming months, a trade ..."
Rangers long shots for Halladay, Washburn
Comment
July 30
Foxsports.com
 
"The Rangers remain interested in Roy Halladay and Jarrod Washburn but regard them as long shots, one major-league source with knowledge of their plans said this afternoon. The source added that Texas isn't involved in talks about relievers Heath Bell, George Sherrill or Matt Capps."
The Yanks and Washburn
Comment
July 30
New York Post
 
"Mariners GM Jack Zduriencik sounds like an executive stuck in the middle. His brain tells him that his club is just not good enough to make the playoffs this year while his heart keeps creating scenarios in which somehow they sneak in. Hey Adrian Beltre is due off the DL on Tuesday and Erik Bedard the week after that, and now the Mariners have the sure-handed Jack Wilson at shortstop. So maybe, just maybe Seattle could make up either the 7 1-2 games it is out in the West or the 5 1-2 in the wild card. But when I noted to Zduriencik that his club is minus-43 this year in run differential and no club has ever made the playoffs with a mark that bad (the worst was minus-42 by the 2005 Padres), ..."
Marlins and Rays in on Bell, Brewers out of Washburn talks
Comment
July 30
Newsday
 columnist Kevin Davidoff
"Just spoke to an official from an NL club who talked about "buyers turning into sellers, and sellers into buyers" over the last 48 hours. The Marlins definitely fall into the latter category; they are reportedly working hard to acquire Heath Bell. The Rays might, as well. The Mariners? It's still unclear precisely what they are. I spoke with an official who knows Seattle GM Jack Zduriencik well, and this official predicted, based on the trade that sent Ian Snell and Jack Wilson to the AL West, that the Mariners would hold onto Jarrod Washburn and keep going for a playoff spot. The Brewers are no longer in on Washburn."
Yankees awfully quiet as deadline approaching
Comment
July 30
Foxsports.com
 
"Could things really be this quiet around the New York Yankees at the trade deadline? One major-league source said there is "nothing going on" with the Yankees at the moment. Talks with the Mariners about left-hander Jarrod Washburn haven't heated up yet, largely due to the fact that it's not clear what Seattle's asking price is."
Reds get Balentien from Mariners
Comment
July 29
Foxsports.com
 
"The Reds have acquired outfielder Wladimir Balentien from the Mariners for right-hander Robert Manuel in a minor deal. Balentien was on Seattle's big-league roster until Saturday, when his contract was designated for assignment in order to make room for rookie outfielder Michael Saunders."
Pirates land package for Wilson, Snell
Comment
July 29
MLB.com
 
"Shortstop Jack Wilson, one of the staples of this season's trade market, was dealt by the Pittsburgh Pirates to the Seattle Mariners on Wednesday as part of a seven-player deal. Going to the Mariners along with Wilson is right-hander Ian Snell. The rebuilding Bucs received a five-player package from Seattle, headlined by top catching/first base prospect Jeff Clement. Also going to Pittsburgh are shortstop Ronny Cedeno and a trio of right-handed pitchers -- Aaron Pribanic, Brett Lorin and Nathan Adcock. Wilson, 31, a 2004 All-Star, batted .267 in 75 games with the Pirates. Snell had struggled in 15 starts (2-8, 5.36) with the big-league club but has been lights out since being demoted to ..."
Yankees making a strong push for Jarrod Washburn
Comment
July 29
Yahoo! Sports
 
"With Chien-Ming Wang needing shoulder surgery and lost for the season, the Yankees are making a strong push for Seattle left-hander Jarrod Washburn, according to one rival executive. What the Yankees want, they usually get, which could be bad news for the Phillies, Brewers, Rangers and Twins, all of whom had scouts watching his sharp performance Tuesday night."
Pirates trade Jack Wilson and Ian Snell to Mariners for 5 players
Comment
July 29
Foxsports.com
 
"The Pirates just announced that they have acquired first baseman Jeff Clement, shortstop Ronny Cedeno and right-handed pitchers Aaron Pribanic, Brett Lorin and Nathan Adcock from the Mariners for shortstop Jack Wilson and right-handed pitcher Ian Snell."
Slumping Brewers not pursuing Washburn
Comment
July 29
Foxsports.com
 
"The Brewers, thought to be one of the favorites for Jarrod Washburn, are not seriously engaged in discussions for the Mariners' veteran left-hander. The reasons: The Brewers do not want to give up good prospects for two months of Washburn at a time when they have lost 16 of their last 23 games. Washburn, a likely Type B free agent, would bring only one draft pick in return if the Brewers (or any other club he was with) failed to re-sign him. The Mariners, according to one general manager who has spoken with them, are seeking to make a bigger deal with Washburn. That might be the reason they pulled catcher/designated hitter Jeff Clement from his Class AAA game and informed him that he was ..."
Yankees brass mulls pitch for Seattle hurler Jarrod Washburn
Comment
July 29
New York Daily News
 
"Although Roy Halladay remains a long shot to be wearing pinstripes by the trade deadline and the asking price for Cliff Lee remains sky-high, the Yankees could be making a move for Jarrod Washburn to bolster their rotation. The 34-year-old lefthander is one of the latest names to enter the trade-deadline rumor mill, as Mariners general manager Jack Zduriencik has started contacting teams around the league to field offers for several players, according to a source. Seattle had been on the fringe of the American League West race until a four-game losing streak this week dropped them 7-1/2 games behind the first-place Angels and the wild card-leading Red Sox, entering Tuesday night's action."
Mariners set to shop pitchers?
Comment
July 28
Foxsports.com
 
"Facing a 7½-game deficit in the American League West, the Mariners are shifting into "sell" mode — if they aren't there already. Left-hander starter Jarrod Washburn is available, and general manager Jack Zduriencik would probably consider offers on Sean White and Mark Lowe, who have been surprisingly good in setup roles. "They're about ready to do some things," an official of one contender said. One baseball man wondered if the Mariners would make former first-rounder Brandon Morrow available in trade talks. But it's doubtful that Zduriencik would sell low on Morrow, who has walked seven hitters between two unsuccessful Class AAA starts."
Washburn readies change-of-address forms
Comment
July 28
Tacoma News Tribune
 
"Jarrod Washburn's wife, Kerrie, made him cook lunch for the family Monday afternoon - in part because she's heard the rumors. "She made me cook fish because, she said, I may not be around to cook fish later this week," Washburn said, standing in front of his Seattle Mariners locker. "My dad called this morning and said 'I heard you've been traded to the Milwaukee Brewers ...' "I told him, 'Don't you remember this time, last year?'" A year ago, Washburn was all but dealt to the Minnesota Twins, only to have team president Chuck Armstrong veto the deal. Now, a reborn Washburn - with a retooled arsenal of pitches - is the topic of trade rumors again. In the last few days, he's been said to ..."
Red Sox up against a deadline
Comment
July 28
Boston Herald
 
"The Red Sox are spending the final days leading up to Friday's trading deadline tracking many trade possibilities - big and small. San Diego Padres first baseman Adrian Gonzalez, Cleveland Indians catcher/first baseman Victor Martinez, Indians left-hander Cliff Lee and Toronto Blue Jays ace Roy Halladay remain at the top of the list of players to watch. The Sox have negotiated with each of those teams enough by now to know what it would take to get a deal done, but the price tags remain too high. Shoring up the starting rotation is still a goal, but with the team unwilling to part with an important prospect for someone like lefty Jarrod Washburn (Seattle Mariners) or ex-Sox righty Bronson ..."
Brewers cautious about dealing SS prospect for Washburn
Comment
July 27
Foxsports.com
 
"Few know the Brewers' farm system better than Mariners general manager Jack Zduriencik, who drafted and signed many of Milwaukee's top young players in his previous job as the team's scouting director. Zduriencik surely would love to obtain shortstop Alcides Escobar in a trade for lefty Jarrod Washburn, and it's reasonable to think that he might even include righty Brandon Morrow to pull off such a deal. The Brewers, though, likely would be reluctant to trade Escobar for two months of Washburn, a potential free agent, and the uncertain future of Morrow, who is back at Class AAA trying to re-establish himself as a starter. Brewers shortstop J.J. Hardy is a free agent after next season, and ..."
Yankees eyeing Washburn and long shot Halladay
Comment
July 27
SI.com
 
"Knowing their chances remain slim for superstar pitcher Roy Halladay and even slimmer for star pitcher Cliff Lee, the Yankees called the pitching-strong Mariners on Saturday to inquire about their status as buyer or seller. The Yankees need a starting pitcher, and Jarrod Washburn is a pitcher they've liked for years. But while GM Jack Zduriencik over the weekend informed the Yankees, Dodgers and other teams interested in their players that they weren't yet ready to sell, there's a sense around baseball Seattle still might make a deadline switch. Ownership historically hasn't been anxious to sell, but realistically, they don't have enough offense to compete with the Angels or Rangers. Erik ..."
Mariners a bubble team
Comment
July 26
Yahoo! Sports
 (scroll down)
"One scout said Saturday that the best thing that could happen to the Seattle Mariners is for them to lose five or six games in a row, because while they're hanging around in wild-card contention, "They're playing over their heads and should be thinking about trading [Jarrod] Washburn, [Miguel] Batista and [Erik] Bedard." Of all the bubble teams, the Mariners might be the most interesting because they have attractive trade pieces, but also because they are winning often enough to bring back some of the fans lost in the Bill Bavasi era. They have a first-year GM – Jack Zduriencik – who probably doesn't want to go white flag four months into his first season. Bedard looks like he's staggering ..."
Bedard's not going anywhere
Comment
July 26
Tacoma News Tribune
 
"It took the Seattle Mariners months to acquire starting pitcher Erik Bedard in what can only be called the worst trade the franchise ever made. If we know nothing else about the prolonged meeting late Saturday afternoon among Bedard, manager Don Wakamatsu and general manager Jack Zduriencik, we know it will be months before the Mariners can part ways with the star-crossed left-hander. Six days remain until the non-waiver trading deadline expires. Zduriencik may yet agree to a blockbuster deal that could both solidify this season's team and solve some long-range position problems, but Bedard is off the table. "With Erik, you look at the command and lack of efficiency with his pitches. We ..."
Mariners officials think Erik Bedard is hurt again
Comment
July 26
Seattle Times
 
"The good news in the photo above is that I think the Mariners actually won the game you see them playing. The bad news is, it was against their own 4 and 5-year-old kids and doesn't count in the standings. Oh well. In the real game played today, the Mariners were whipped 10-3 by the Cleveland Indians. And then, as if falling 7 1/2 games out of the division lead wasn't bad enough, the team kept the clubhouse door closed longer than usual. The reason why is that Don Wakamatsu and Jack Zduriencik caught up with Erik Bedard afterwards and had a frank discussion with him. Wakamatsu and Zduriencik didn't like how many pitches it was taking Bedard to get hitters out today and feel he is hurting. ..."
Mariners Forum Top 5
  1. Mariners interested in Granderson and Jackson
    Last post:weebs
  2. Who's the answer at catcher?
    Last post:barrelass
  3. How much would you pay for King Felix?
    Last post:weebs
  4. The Next Move?
    Last post:Punkindrublic03
  5. Mariners Minor League Review on Razzball
    Last post:gglwebster