Lookout Landing

Yankees fans

think they’re not going to use Washburn. They think the trade was just to dump Igawa.

bluemax - July 26, 2008 reply

I hope they use Washburn.

His regression to the mean will help tank the Yankees.

I'd be pretty pumped if we got Melky

how is his defense?

Oh hey a S-hitting Jeremy Reed!

If this is what it takes for us to stick with a cheap young CF next year, then so be it

He could be useful as a semi-regular.

If it means Willie won't play I'll be happy

Isn’t he younger though?

NO MORE WILLIE!

Yeah right, like that's happening.

I look at his stats...

...and he seems like a bit of an OF Jose Lopez. 87 career OPS+ for Melky and 82 career OPS+ for Lopez. I wouldn’t be that surprised if Melky could be a league average hitter next year (the way that Lopez has been so far this year.) Melky’s also been pretty unlucky this year according to PrOPS.

Melky can sort of reach base OK.

.305 OBP?

Career .331.

Not good, but not awful.

Teej - July 26, 2008 reply

RZR seems to like him.

His bat sucks, though.

This is so good for the Strasburg chase...Washburn has been our 2nd best pitcher it seems. WEEE

Shouldn't be long before the USSM server is toast

Saturday morning

I’d take the over.

It's not morning

THATS NOT NEWS

Is it fark then?

Washburn denies a trade is going down.

I hope the Mariners inform him the same way the Mets informed Randolph

That would be awesome.

It'd be funny if Johjima told him.

If the trade goes down, I would kill to see Jeff write a fake final conversation between Joh and Wash.

I have been looking forward to this for months.

Well now I can't

Asking always hurts,

delete his comment

I'll kill Bill Krueger.

I'll miss his keys

We're replacing Krueger with Matthew.

...by hitting him with a bus.

EnglishMariner - July 26, 2008 reply

lol it'd be funy if the 14 yr old he were molestering told him

By discovering him with a 15 year old girl when they deliver the news!

maybe he's learing from Adam Jones

What

DAMN IT

What is happening?

So far just a rumor?

TV just said Washburn was “surprised” by news and hasnt been approached by Yankees.

And Robert hasn't touched a girl in 6 month....wait, that's true.

Of course he hasn't

That would be tampering.

No trade happening yet

Stupid FSN made us wait through a commercial to tell us there was no news.

I'm guessing it's Brett Favre to the Yankees

with Clemens

http://ducks.freedomblogging.com/2008/07/25/ducks-new-affiliate-offers-favre-contract/

Wait... the Chops are a Ducks affiliate?

They just went from mildly amusing to a bunch of stupid rednecks.

ningwers - July 26, 2008 reply

What the hell is going on

Mt. Piniella goes off!

fuck the Cubs

HAHA he doesnt know if he likes to shave...

Guess we’ll have to wait…grrr
I do want more RR-S

At least with the trade deadline coming up...

...this can’t get dragged out as long as the Bedard trade.

So Washburn will be replacing, who, Darrell Rasner?

Guess who’s been a better pitcher than Jarrod Washburn this year?

Replace Karstens

Cliff Lee?

Everyone?

Washburn is better this year than last year

You need caffeine

You need 2008 tRA.

But you don’t have it.

This is rude

Not much of a recovery.

I don't think it's significant

It's not, but it's still a half-win or so improvement

Washburn has "been all Cy Young" the last six games.

Well, Cy Young has been dead for several decades so great comparison

that was awsome. rec

batura - July 26, 2008 reply

Maybe Joba is going back to the pen.

I would laugh.

Ponson?

LATE

damn

That would be my guess

Ponson even has a higher xFIP with the Yankees than Washburn’s had with the M’s.

Ponson?

Pick your stat

FIP: 4.02 vs. 4.46
xFIP: 4.52 vs. 4.74
tRA: 4.54 vs. 5.09

I choose innings pitched and ERA

And balks.

FWIW..Olney just said he doesn't expect the deal to be announced for a couple days.

Probably July 31

is my guess

Goddammit.

Man, funk that.

They'd have to skip his start tomorrow

so WTF?

So Melky is no great shakes or anything

but he’s been pretty unlucky this year, too. If he’s coming I’m pretty happy with that return for Wasburn.

Wouldn't worry too much about this year

Melky’s Marcel coming into the year was .283/.350/.409, and even now it’s probably only around .270/.340/.400. He’d be a heck of a return.

That's good for a good fielding centerfielder

We're getting Andy Pettit's chin dimple in return.

Also, how's his defense in CF?

I haven’t seen him play much (obviously) and I wouldn’t know how to interpret defensive statistics even if they were useful.

From what I can tell he's -5 < x < +5

Matthew, how’s his +/-?

Seems a touch below average out there from my limited exposure

I'm getting more and more excited about this.

Is it worth being saddled with Igawa until 2011 to get him though?

If that's how the trade goes down, I can't change it.

I’d rather be happy about Washburn being gone and getting a useful player for him.

If you want to be really optimistic about it...

The rumors that Igawa might want to go back and pitch in Japan, if true, could get the Mariners out of a chunk of Igawa’s contract.

I wouldn't count Melky in the fold until it's announced.

But I wanna

You keep going for that cupcake don't you?

Jeff, 'there is no floor'

Sometimes I like the ride down

I hope so

because the ride never stops.

Why do you think people like rollercoasters?

It’s not because of the clinky up part.

...I love that part.

That part's only good if there's a nice view

GET ME OFF THE GODDAMN RIDE

What a douche

You know who probably doesn't like rollercoasters?

The parents of that kid in SC who got beheaded by one.

Tasteless. I knew that rollercoaster.

How's he doing?

I heard that the rollercoaster was pretty traumatized.

seattlesundevil - July 26, 2008 reply

He's down to about three packs a day,

and taking life step by step. He knows more than anybody that life has it’s ups and downs. And corkscrew turns.

You'd think there'd be safety issues for such a ride

You're just setting yourself up for disappointment

I know

The Vidro and Soriano threads were fun.

The complete anarchy will never be recreated.

Igawa is going to DH.

What. The. Balls.

My hands are shaking

Upgrade!

I'm glad we got a solid year out of Hudson, although LaRoche was a bit hit and miss

Yeah, but Sexson collapsed so we were huge winners.

I'm trying to temper my enthusiaism

but it’s been so long since I’ve had any, it’s fairly difficult.

Is that for CF?

If he played LF we could probably say +5 to +10 right?

Edgar for Pres - July 26, 2008 reply

Our offense is going to be abysmal without Raul

That's good!

The abysmal offense contains Potassium Sorbate

Jordan of Boise - July 26, 2008 reply

That's....bad?

I always get confused, cause I like sorbet..but not Potassium Sorbate.

Benzoate

I hope Ms Jeff appreciates these jokes

It's not a joke

I thought it was your subtle way of saying "OK"

No

Well then I'm lost

That is the chemical structure of potassium benzoate

Well yeah, but.... ah screw it

Yes, that's for CF, which is presumably where he would play if we are indeed trading for him

He’d be a +5 < x < +15 in LF, I imagine.

....wow....

Hey guess what, this is step one towards not sucking ass next year.

Cabrera has a better chance to be what I want Reed to be than Reed

At worst Reed is a good bench player

so your basically giving him Cairo spot next year.

He's more like Vidro in CF

batura - July 26, 2008 reply

about average.

Okay then

Cabrera looks like all kinds of average for a low price.

Good value

I saw his debut at Yankee Stadium...

he was horrible but that was like 3 years ago…

LantermanC - July 26, 2008 reply

This really seems like buying low on Cabrera

If the M’s actually get him.

Yep

/non-ironic surprised face

I nominate this for official non-ironic surprise face image.

Simply because I love it so very much.

rec'd for gay awesomeness

And here come the Red Sox!!!!!!!!!

I hate having to root for them.

Why do you have to?

I suppose I could hope that both teams somehow lose the game.

At this point the Red Sox are ahead of the Yankees in the standings

But I do hate the Red Sox more than the Yankees now anyway. Plus neither of them are in first place so I am happy about that.

I hate them both, but the Yankees more. Honestly, I'm actually callously ambivalent.

I think I hate the Red Sox Nation more...but I think I hate the Yankees more

Yankees fans are too goddamned stupid to count.

Can we throw in Johjima?

Just so Washburn can keep throwing to him?

Scrupio - July 26, 2008 reply

I'm trying to think the last time the M's were winners in a trade.

Edgar for Pres - July 26, 2008 reply

Of significance? Garcia, maybe Winn

If you aren't looking in retrospect.

The Winn trade wasn't that good.

Phelps for Buhner?

So does Igawa's salary come from the mythical foreign player fund?

Hey...

no.

No as in not Igawa or no as in there is no mythical foreign player fund?

Igawa's salary is regular payroll.

It’s not a posting fee or amateur free agent bonus or anything like that.

Gotcha

Imagine being a Yankees fan

How underwhelming can a trade yet?

You are having JI issues today

I am excited

I can imagine the Yankees will make Washburn look good

Considering they make Mike Mussina and their other mediocre/awful starters look good.

MIke Mussina of today right?

Mariner John - July 26, 2008 reply

I just found the typo.

Is Cabrera pretty much a finished product?

or is there still room for development?

He's still young

which is why I am wondering if he has some upside.

He's 23

There’s room for growth in power.

Isn't 27/28 the peak?

Yeah, usually around there.

joof - July 26, 2008 reply

Melky Cabrera has 8 HR

Mariners with at least 8 HR:

Beltre (16 HR)
Raul (14 HR)

Melky Cabrera would be our 4th best power hitter behind Beltre, Raul, and Clement.

...

:(

Richie!

pre-open stanced Richie!

Just so that its clear

What is Igawa’s contract terms?

Scrupio - July 26, 2008 reply

Owed 13.5 million until 2011

Igawa's contract per Cot's contracts

Kei Igawa lhp
5 years/$20M (2007-11)

signed 12/06
07:$4M, 08:$4M, 09:$4M, 10:$4M, 11:$4M
may earn $0.5M annually in performance bonuses
o $0.125M each for 180, 190, 200 & 210 IP
Yankees bid $26,000,194 for negotiating rights with Igawa 11/06
posted by Hanshin Tigers of Japanese League 11/06
agent: Arn Tellum
ML service: 0.095

I bet the Yankees pick up most of that.

If we can trade Washburn for more or less what we owe him right now in Igawa and Melky Cabrera, I think it's a win.

Especially because it comes in 4 million chunks instead of one big 10 million spot next year.

Agreed, but you think we could get someone to eat the whole thing with having to take a shitastic player in return.

Another way this would be awesome

If the FSN rumor of Vidro/Washburn for Igawa/Melky is true then who cares about Igawa’s salary, we get out of what like 2-3 left of Vidro’s salary and all of Washburn’s?

That would be wonderful

Vidro's salary this year is irrelevant.

Unless the remainder gets funneled to my bank account.

Yeah, but Igawa is signed --> 2011.

Vidro’s gone after this year.

His salary offsets Washburn's.

We'd be freeing up like $16 million that we'd have to pay by 2009 to get Melky Cabrera and have to pay $16 million by 2011

I agree.

It’s not as big a win as it would be with, say Gardener or Melky on his own, but it’s a win nonetheless.

I can't find Igawa on the Yankees' 40 man >:(

Like mlb.com ever breaks a trade.

Didn't think they were

it was just annoying. I wanted to find an ugly picture.

Anything with him smiling

http://minors.baseball-reference.com/players.cgi?pid=34687

He's not blowing at AAA FWIW

barely above average.

Eastern League is pitching haven.

Not blowing was technically correct.

I know, just clarifying before people orgasm over his ERA.

I was looking at K : BB

but thank for the PF clarification.

How did you find that?

Robert taught me well

Anyone who orgasms over an ERA has problems

http://www.nj.com/yankees/index.ssf/2008/07/yankees_take_igawa_off_40man_r.html

WTF?

weird

Corco - July 26, 2008 reply

Here's your answer

Huh.

Well then.

HOLY TACO

Corco - July 26, 2008 reply

Giambi looks like Sgt. Slaughter with that moustache.

Fat Don Mattingly

Melky is still in the Red Sox/Yankees game

Not gonna assume anything til he gets pulled, or would they let him finish the game?

What's sad about Igawa

is you cant even make him a high paid LOOGY.. lefties rake him

High paid ROOGY

We already have one of those, except cheap.

Though last I heard his arm is about to explode.

joof - July 26, 2008 reply

High paid West Tenn #3 SP

hey guess who's batting for the Yankees!

This is the first time I have watched him with the hope he does something good.

Shut up shut up shut up

As in he should've been pulled

Olney was on ESPNnews and said it'll likely be a few days before this trade is announced

So do we start Washburn tomorrow knowing he’s being traded? I’m confused.

Hooray

He is such a woman

Like a virgin....

What a beautiful man.

Don't be taken by the dance

He’ll eat your soul.

I’m pooping

tootthekazoo - July 26, 2008 reply

What happened to the Padres picking up Igawa?

I thought I heard the Padres getting him last season, but maybe that didn’t happen.

...?

Looks like Melky will fit right in.

Melky Observations

Just me two cents on Melky.. i watch him daily here in NY. He’d be a great fourth outfielder given his ability at the corners to project as an above average defender. In CF he’s average, but has a big arm. Think he led the league in assists last yr. Therefore overall Id say he’s slight above average in CF. And from the left side, he’d be a solid player. He cant hit a lick from the right

He's marginally better lefthanded in his career.

Looking at the last two yrs..

I think he’s bad from the right side.. no power at all, and his OBP has fallen drastically from that side..

He’s been a little unlucky from the right side. But still the numbers are hideous.

In 06, he was equally good. But these last two seasons, he cant do a thing from the right side

Small sample size

his BABIP is worse from the right side. I don’t know where to get LD% splits though.

I imagine he's slightly better against righties, but not worthless against lefties

I as well.

Fair point

His BABIP is crazy low. Just goin by observation as well. That he doesnt have power from the right side and his swing looks much more natural from the left side

Left handed swings typically are prettier than right handed.

Cuddyer led the league in assists last year

Melky was like 4th though

http://mlb.mlb.com/team/player.jsp?player_id=506432

huh? reassigned?

Hello Mr. Stinky Fish Face

I.e. sent to AAA for being shitty

0 walks in 4 innings!!!!

We just signed Jorge Sosa

Dave Duncan couldn't fix him.

The Jorge Sosa?

We didnt have enough right handed suck?

Minor league contract

He's lock to re-create 2005.

How old is he?

Too

My first impression is that he's a slightly cheaper version of tits.

Didnt he have a + fastball?

Used to

Now he’s 92-95.

Doesn't movement matter too, or is it just average movement?

He throws a straight, hittable fastball and a bad, hittable slider

That's what I remember.

Movement matters much.

He could throw 93-94 if memory serves

good luck with having any sort of control or ocmmand

Nice spelling dumbass

Funny.

[facepalm]

To actually answer your question, 31

Morrow to Tacoma?

Starter for tomorrow?

?

He was kind of useful for the Mets last year

So, a quick thought on Igawa...

Is the thought he’s part of the deal that’s going down based solely on Olney’s report? Because if that’s the case, I’m inclined to believe he heard “Washburn to Yankees” and threw something together quickly, using the previously quashed Igawa rumor as a possibility.

It’s possible I’m being overly optimistic, I’m just trying to figure out why the M’s would say “No way in hell” and then cave a few days later.

Mentioned on FSN by Brad Adam.

Never trust a guy with two first names.

I'd trust Billy Joel with my life.

Just don't ride in his car. Or any others.

Stage name. That's different.

How about a guy with no last names?

Madonna?

Ichiro?

Cash-money might make them change their mind.

If the Yankees pick up a large chunk of Igawa's salary, I will do backflips.

Igawa better BACK YO AZZ UP

If he doesn't, I say we drop him like he's hot.

I’m all for this trade if Jose Vidro gets off the corner.

We got 99 problems but #5 pitchers ain't one.

He's not even a #5 pitcher

Don't ruin this sub-thread

‘Cause today was good day.

Igawa's gonna get his walk on

Everybody everybody get their walk on… WHAT

He's a #1 Stunna' (in AA.)

Igawa's hot Igawa's hot uh uh

Igawa’s hot Igawa’s hot

You better get out tha' way...

Kei Igawa’s on his way.

Not CMR; actually good hip-hop.

CMR?

Cash Money Records.

That shouldn't be the only criterion

It wasn't intended to be only CMR...you run out of material fast.

So watch yourself!

Not if you listened to as much CMR as I did.

They plastered CMR all over The Box back when I lived in Vegas

I recognize how awful all of that shit is and would never listen to again by choice

but I still have a very special place in my heart for Cash Money.

Why would you do that to yourself

He's a dancer.

When you spend a lot of your adolescence as part of an independent music scene

you rebel in strange ways. Also, I used to smoke a whole bunch of pot.

At least Igawa isn't Dontrelle Willis

and at least we might have traded Washburn for him and not Adam Jones.

Geoff Baker does not run the team.

There is no floor.

Promotional event:

Seattle Times Commenters Make Important Decisions For The Team Day

Oh Jesus

Your writing would flourish.

AP Wire: Mariner GM Geoff Baker designates entire MLB roster for assignment.

This move is believed to be a precursor to the Mariners’ signing of the Cuban National team.

Baker is also reportedly in talks to trade Greg Halman and Carlos Triunfel to the Toronto Blue Jays for relief pitcher B.J. Ryan.

I thought BJ was anti media...

this will not fly in Baker’s world.

Ryan Franklin?

Done!

Guess u didnt hear Riggleman before the game

Stating the organization, their scouts, head officials, and media aree 50/50 on MOrrow to the rotation..

Odd that the media is part of the decision making process

Rick Vandenhurk is my favorite name ever.

I like pretty much every name from the Netherlands national team

What if it was Rick Vanpeniswinkle?

Too obvious.

Punch LampJaw

Crunch Buttsteak

Thad Beefstock

Munch McGristle

Butch Deadlift

Steel Rockman

Bicep Stonestomp

John Rocker

An original!

Sorry?

Don't be.

Flop Brickchest

Big McLargeHuge

Murray Chass

Hugh Jayness

Jordan of Boise - July 26, 2008 reply

Bulge Cuntpunch

I like where this is going.

Note: is sarcastic

I feel that ABBA is under appreciated amongst late 70s musical progression.

There is no good way for me to respond to this

'So's your face'

Dschinghis Khan agrees

I'll find where the line is someday

Jan Vennegoor of Hesselink

Fuck him for playing on the wrong team.

Goddamn you Marlins.

I love you Marlins1

So... Loafie and Melky

become the next Carlos Guillen’s and we get Strasburg who along with Bedard, Felix and Morrow all get 200+ ks… and then we win the WS….

LantermanC - July 26, 2008 reply

*no possessive on the Guillen...

LantermanC - July 26, 2008 reply

still no SS in this.

So let me get this straight...the Yankees plan for getting better centers around picking up two overpaid Mariners...

...

Brilliant

SethGrandpa - July 26, 2008 reply

Vidro isn't a guarantee in this.

Sexson?

forgot about the sex.

It's clear you no longer love me.

Yeah...I was talking about Sexson

SethGrandpa - July 26, 2008 reply

They paid Sexson the pro-rated league minimum.

Sexson is still being overpaid in relation to his performance

Even if he’s being overpaid by us, not them.

The ingredients to make them the Unstopable Amalgam of Doom.

cabrera bunt single

won’t fit in if he can bunt.

Well he will if he can bunt at the worst

and most idiotic times.

Coach Owens - July 26, 2008 reply

But we need kids who can move the runner over to set up the veteran RBI opps

I didn't see the light. I apologize.

...DO NO RUIN THIS

[Update: 6:15pm] Ken Rosenthal just reported during the Fox telecast that the deal is now being held up by the Mariners demand for a top prospect in addition to the Yankees taking the remainder of Washburn’s contract.

P Brady - July 26, 2008 reply

Good lord.

seattlesundevil - July 26, 2008 reply

At least they're trying.

With Bavasi the conversation would something like this,

BAVASI: (answering phone) Hello?
CASHMAN: Hey Bill, it’s Brian Cashman.
BAVASI: Oh hey, Brian.
CASHMAN: Listen, I’m calling to let you know that we’re interested in acquiring Jarrod Washburn.
BAVASI: What’s your offer?
CASHMAN: Well we were thinking Kei Igawa and…
BAVASI: DONE!
CASHMAN: Don’t you want to at least want to hear the rest of our proposal?
BAVASI: No, no, no, no. Igawa is good enough.
CASHMAN:...
BAVASI:...
CASHMAN: What?
BAVASI: You heard me.
CASHMAN:...
BAVASI:...
CASHMAN: Okay…
BAVASI: (Hangs up phone) Oh boy, wait until I announce this to the press! I’m a genius!

Coach Owens - July 26, 2008 reply

bahahahahaha

This I don't actually find all that humorous.

It's going to be hilarious when the trade falls through and the team decides to offer him an extension instead

You are not a nice man.

Anything that hurts the 2008 Mariners is hilarious.

Anything that hurts the 2009+ Mariners is not.

Aaron Campeau - July 27, 2008 reply

Bluffing

I hate this team.

I believe that might be something called negotiations

Edgar for Pres - July 26, 2008 reply

What the fuck are negotiations?

/Mariner fan under Bavasi

Noone brought up yet...

That Washburn says he wants a little compensation or he will not wave his no-trade clause. Of course, he is a dick, and dicks do dickish things.

By compensation, I have no idea what that is supposed to mean. Apparently either team can give it to him, so I guess that scratches out a contract extension preference. Who knows.

Slica - July 26, 2008 reply

To be fair, this is the reason no-trade clauses exist.

Players with limited NTCs rarely choose truly bad teams to put on the “limited” list. Rather, they choose GOOD teams that might want to trade for them sometime in the future, so that they can make some extra $$$ for waiving the clause. Washburn is well within his rights to ask for some extra bling here, it’s what he’s expected to do.

esoteric - July 26, 2008 reply

That was my thought.

His demands don’t really make him an asshole. It’s everything else about him that makes him an asshole.

Hmm

Never thought of it like that before, good point!

Slica - July 26, 2008 reply

GODDAMN FUCKING MARINERS! FUCKING IDIOTS! AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!

Just getting that out of the way.

Goose - July 26, 2008 reply

I like a proactive person.

LOUD NOISES

This is disappointing.

Mariner John - July 26, 2008 reply

[Potential] good news on the Rhodes front.

Gammons says that the Marlins will stop pursuing Fuentes and will go after Rhodes instead.

Linky

I’d be willing to trade him for Maybin and one of their young pitchers. Otherwise, we should keep him because if we want to compete in the 2nd half, we’ll need him around to keep everyone in line.

I like the funny part

about competing in the second half.