Jarrod Washburn
Rumors

The premiere free agent pitcher this off season, John Lackey, will certainly be courted by all of the usual suspects: Yankees, Red Sox, Mets, Angels and Phillies. However, Buster Olney of espn.com believes that the Mariners could also be an unlikely suitor involved in the bidding.

The biggest factor for the Mariners seemingly unlikely involvement is the amount of money they are clearing off of their team salary heading into 2010. Adrian Beltre, Erik Bedard and Miguel Batista combined to make $29.75M last season and are all headed to free agency. That number rises over $40M with the departure of Jarrod Washburn who was traded to Detroit during the season.

The Brewers and Rangers are also possible non-traditional suitors for Lackey's services.

Will the Mariners surprise everyone and land John Lackey?

Below is a list of starting pitchers that are eligible for free agency for the 2010 season, their age, current team, current contract and whether the player falls into a Type A or Type B free agent compensation status.

Free agent catchers
Free agent first basemen
Free agent second basemen
Free agent third basemen
Free agent shortstops
Free agent left fielders
Free agent center fielders
Free agent right fielders
Free agent middle relievers
Free agent closers

Brandon Backe, 32, Astros - 09:$1.55M
Miguel Batista, 39, Mariners - 07:$5.5M, 08:$9M, 09:$9M
Erik Bedard, 31, Mariners - 09:$7.75M (Type B)
Kris Benson, 34, Rangers - 09:$750K
Daniel Cabrera, 29, Diamondbacks - 09:$2.6M
Chris Capuano, 31, Brewers - 09:minor league contract
Aroldis Chapman, 22, No Team - No professional contracts
Bartolo Colon, 37, White Sox - 09:$1M
Jose Contreras, 38, Rockies - 07:$9M, 08:$10M, 09:$10M
Doug Davis, 34, Diamondbacks - 07:$5.5M, 08:$7.75M, 09:$8.75M (Type B)
Justin Duchscherer, 32, Athletics - (Type B)
Adam Eaton, 32, Rockies - 07:$6.875M, 08:$7.635M, 09:$8.5M, 10:$9M mutual option ($0.5M buyout)
Josh Fogg, 33, Rockies - 09:minor league contract
Jon Garland, 30, Dodgers - 09:$6.25M, 10:$10M mutual option ($2.5M buyout if club declines, $1M buyout if player declines) (Type B)
Tom Glavine, 44, Braves - 09:$1M
Mike Hampton, 37, Astros - 09:$2M
Rich Harden, 28, Cubs - 05:$0.5M, 06:$1M, 07:$2M 08:$4.5M, 09:$7M (Type B)
Mark Hendrickson, 36, Orioles - 09:$1.5M
Livan Hernandez, 35, Nationals - 09:minor league contract
Shawn Hill, 29, Nationals - 09:$775K
Jason Jennings, 31, Rangers - 09:$800K
Randy Johnson, 46, Giants - 09:$8M (Type B)
John Lackey, 31, Angels - 06:$3.01M, 07:$5.5M, 08:$7M, 09:$9M (Type A)
Cliff Lee, 31, Phillies - 06:$0.75M, 07:$2.75M, 08:$3.75M, 09:$5.75M, 10:$8M club option ($1M buyout) (Type A)
Braden Looper, 35, Brewers - 09:$4.75M, 10:$6.5M option ($1M buyout) (Type B)
Rodrigo Lopez, 34, Phillies - 09:minor league contract
Jason Marquis, 31, Rockies - 07:$4.75M, 08:$6.375M, 09:$9.875M (Type B)
Brett Myers, 29, Phillies - 07:$5M, 08:$8.5M, 09:$12M
Vicente Padilla, 32, Dodgers - 07:$9M, 08:$11M, 09:$12M (Type B)
Carl Pavano, 34, Twins - 09:$1.5M (Type B)
Brad Penny, 32, Giants - 09:$5M
Odalis Perez, 33, Nationals - 09:$850K
Andy Pettitte, 38, Yankees - 09:$5.5M (Type B)
Joel Pineiro, 31, Cardinals - 08:$5M, 09:$7.5M (Type B)
Sidney Ponson, 33, Royals - 09:$600K
Mark Prior, 28, Padres - 09:minor league contract
Horacio Ramirez, 30, Nationals - 09:$1.8M
Jason Schmidt, 37, Dodgers - 07:$12.5M, 08:$12M, 09:$12M
Ben Sheets, 31, No Team - 05:$4.5M, 06:$8.5M, 07:$10M, 08:$11M
John Smoltz, 43, Cardinals - 09:$400K
Brett Tomko, 37, Athletics - 09:minor league contract
Tim Wakefield, 43, Red Sox - 09:$4M, 10:$4M club option (Type B)
Jarrod Washburn, 35, Tigers - 06:$7.45M, 07:$9.85M, 08:$9.85M, 09:$10.35M
Todd Wellemeyer, 31, Cardinals - 09:$4.05M
Kip Wells, 33, Reds - 09:$500K
Randy Wolf, 33, Dodgers - 09:$5M (Type A)

The baseball rumor mill has cooled off quite a bit since Friday's unusually busy trade deadline, but there's still some news, notes, rumors and thoughts to pass along.

• Apparently Melvin Mora is dissatisfied in Baltimore and ready to move on.  Mora will likely clear waivers, but I'm not sure anyone would be interested in taking on the remainder of his $9M contract for 2009 - Mora's splits are 256/321/330.
• Joel Sherman of the New York Post believes the Mets would rather trade for a #2 starter than overpay for potential free agents like Jarrod Washburn and John Lackey.
• The Nationals will look for a second baseman, relief help and a veteran pitcher this off season.
• Edison Volquez had Tommy John surgery and is out for a minimum of 12-months.
• The eight overall pick of the 2005 draft, Wade Townsend was waived by the Rays today.
• The Diamondbacks have signed Daniel Cabrera to a minor league contract.

Joel Sherman of the New York Post has a column full of rumors up. 

• As we've heard from multiple sources, the Red Sox and Rays have inquired about Cliff Lee and Victor Martinez from the Indians.  It's likely going to take a big prospect from either team to get a deal done with the Indians and the Rays are willing to trade Wade Davis, but the Sox will not part with Clay Buchholz.
• The Phillies, Brewers and Rangers are all interested in Lee.
• The Giants are interested in Victor Martinez.
• No matter who gets these players an AL executive is "1,000% confident" the Indians will move both to clear payroll.  Everyone is "confident" that Roy Halladay will be traded and the Indians will clear payroll, but when was the last time we've ever had a trade deadline with that much action?  Not to be Debbie Downer, but I wouldn't expect more than one of these guys to be traded.  My money is on Martinez, he's quietly been very average since starting off the season hitting .400.
• Another AL executive believes the Phillies will add some pitcher - Halladay, Lee or perhaps Jarrod Washburn - by Friday.  I'm not sure they're all that excited about parting with JA Happ or Kyle Drabek who would certainly have to be moved to get one of those guys.  Seems like a lot to give up for a team that is likely going to the playoffs already.
• The Padres are worried that Heath Bell could become an expensive closer on a bad team if they don't move him.  The Yankees have been interested for a while now.

Jon Heyman of si.com has a new post up with tons to discuss:

• The Yankees have inquired with Seattle about Jarrod Washburn who is, at present, unavailable.  Unless there are some plans to keep Washburn, I don't see why Seattle wouldn't at least listen.
• Bronson Arroyo has been bandied about as another option for the Yankees, but he's owed the rest of his $9.5M for 2009, $11M for 2010 and a $2M buyout for 2011 (no one is going to bring Arroyo back for $11M in 2011, the other choice).  There was some steam for this rumor earlier today, but it has since been denied. 
• The Dodgers are considering Cleveland's Cliff Lee.  Lee is owed the remainder of his $5.75M for 2009 and an acquiring team would have a $9M club option for 2010 or a $1M buyout.  That's a heckuva lot cheaper than Halladay and he might be easier to resign to a long-term deal anyway.
• The Red Sox keep getting thrown in as players for Roy Halladay, Victor Martinez and Adrian Gonzalez.  All three are players who'd require a significant haul for their respective teams to move. 
• Despite receiving money from MLB to help make payments, the Rangers are not being restricted on adding payroll.  As such, they've been rumored to be interested in Halladay and Lee.  While the financial situation clouds everything, the Rangers are the team I think makes the most sense for Halladay to be moved to for the reasons I outlined when Halladay was initially known to be available.
• After last week's blockbuster trade for Matt Holliday, the Cardinals now have to work hard to extend the slugger.  Holliday's agent is Scott Boras, so that's a long shot.
• The Rockies are interested in finding a reliever.
• Nick Johnson and Josh Willingham were watched by the Giants this past weekend.  We got confirmation today that the Giants have a few bats on their wish list.

The latest news and rumors from espn.com's Buster Olney.

• How to get Roy Halladay: "It's the guy who calls [Toronto GM] JP Ricciardi and says, 'OK, I want Halladay and I know the price is going to hurt, but let's get it done,'" said a baseball official.
• If the Phillies are going to land Halladay, they're certainly going to have to give up Kyle Drabek, Jason Donald and JA Happ, if not Michael Taylor as well.  Donald's injury might scare the Blue Jays away from even a solid offer like this one. 
• Derrick Norris, a fourth round draft pick by the Washington Nationals in 2007 has been playing very well for the Nationals Single A team.
• Olney feels that Jason Bay and Matt Holliday will set the market for the other depending upon who signs first.  Amazingly, it now seems like Bay will get more money than Holliday, who's struggled a bit in Oakland.
• Jarrod Washburn has been the subject of trade rumors over the last two years and recently hinted at retirement (that'll hurt his trade value).  Now he's saying he's interested in staying with Seattle after this season. 
• Russell Branyon and Erik Bedard could also bring a much better return to the Mariners if they resign them vs. moving them to another team.

Plenty of news, rumor and commentary links to pass along

• Troy Glaus could be a decent option for a team looking for a first base or DH.  He does not figure to have a spot on the Cardinals.
• The Phillies need pitching, but is much available?  Not really.
• Giants general manager Brian Sabean has a "narrow list" of players he's interested - primarily right handed bats - but concedes that he's unlikely to get anything done until closer to the deadline.
• Trading Juan Pierre for Jarrod Washburn would not work for the Mariners because of Pierre's contract.  The Dodgers could make it work however.
• Brewers general manager Doug Melvin does not want to continue to trade prospects for pitching.
• The Cubs have signed their first round pick, Brett Jackson.
• Peter Schmuck of The Baltimore Sun suggests a few moves for the Orioles.
• The White Sox will not be sellers at the trade deadline according to general manager Kenny Williams.

As the 2009 baseball season starts to round into shape, we're beginning to figure out which teams will be looking to add players at the trade deadline and who will be looking to dump players.  While the AL West has been wide open, Larry LaRue of The News Tribune writes that the Mariners poor start likely means they'll be looking to unload some of their veteran players.

The obvious choices to be moved are Erik Bedard, Jarrod Washburn and Adrian Beltre.  As LaRue notes, all three of these players are in the final year of their contracts and none would resigned by the Mariners.  General manager Jack Zduriencik has already started the process of finding teams that would be realistic trading partners. 

Beyond the obvious names, the Mariners are in full rebuilding mode which means practically no one is safe.  Russell Branyon, Ryan Rowland-Smith, Jason Vargas and Franklin Gutierrez are also names that could be had for the right price.

Jason Churchill of espn.com compared the 1994 Draft against the 1995 Draft.  While neither draft we deep and the success rate of 1st round picks was below 25% for both years (some of the lowest percentages in the 41-year history of the draft), the 1995 draft gets the nod.  But, what do you think?

1994 Draft

No 1 Pick: Paul Wilson was the #1 pick for the Mets and was supposed to be part of a dynamic trio that included Bill Pulsipher and Jason Isringhausen.  He finished his career 40-58 with a 4.86 ERA that was beseiged by shoulder injuires.

Best Pick, 1st Round: Nomar Garciaparra, #12, Boston Red Sox

Value Pick, Any Round: Javier Vazquez, fifth round, #140 overall, Montreal Expos, Tim Hudson, 35th round, #961 overall, Oakland Athletics

Notable Pick: Jason Varitek, #14, Seattle Mariners, Paul Konerko, #13, Los Angeles Dodgers.

Worst Pick, First Round: Antone Williamson, #4, Milwaukee Brewers "Williamson spent seven seasons in the minors and just 24 games in the big leagues, hitting .204/.254/.259 in 54 at-bats."

Best Teams: Boston Red Sox - Along with Garciaparra, the Sox drafted Carl Pavano (13th round) and traded him with Tony Armas Jr. to the Expos for Pedro Martinez.

1995 Draft

No 1 Pick: Darin Erstad was selected first overall by the then California Angeles (now Los Angeles) and is still active today as a bench player for the Astros.  Erstad won a World Series with the Angels in 2002 and "has played 14 years in the big leagues and entered play this season with a career line of .283/.336/.407"

Best Pick, 1st Round: Roy Halladay, #17, Toronto Blue Jays

Value Pick, Any Round: Carlos Beltran, second round, #49 overall, Kansas City Royals

Notable Pick: Kerry Wood, #4, Chicago Cubs

Worst Pick, First Round: Jaime Jones, #6, Florida Marlins "The left-handed hitting Jones never reached the majors, hitting .265/.341/.404 in 10 season as a minor leaguer. Jones retired after the 2005 season."

Best Team Draft: California Angels - After Erstad the halos grabbed Jarrod Washburn and Rob Quinlan and all three helped the Angels win the 2002 title.

• The Red Sox have signed Brad Wilkerson to a one year contract.  Base salary is $400K with incentives up to 1.5M.
• Justin Verlander has avoided arbitration with the Tigers by signing a $3.675M contract for 2009.
• Jayson Stark from espn.com reports that the Dodgers have made a one year offer to Randy Wolf with an option similar to that signed by Jon Garland with the Diamondbacks.
• The Rangers have signed Eddie Guardado to a minor league deal.
• Garret Atkins avoided arbitration with the Rockies, signing a $7.05M contract for 2009 a 125K plate appearance incentive.
• The Twins do not appear interested in Jarrod Washburn anymore.
• Current Padres owner John Moores has reached a deal to sell the Padres to former Diamondbacks executive and agent Jeff Moorad.