MLB.com's Jim Street talked to free agent lefty Jarrod Washburn recently. Washburn, a 35-year-old Scott Boras client, posted a 3.78 ERA in 176 innings this year for the Mariners and Tigers. A few highlights from their chat:
- Back in Spring Training, Washburn was planning to retire after the '09 season. He wasn't enjoying the game anymore. However, Washburn's improved performance and the Mariners' clubhouse chemistry ended the retirement plans.
- Washburn will be ready for Spring Training 2010 after having his knee cleaned out surgically. He said the knee limited him with the Tigers, for whom he posted a 7.33 ERA in 43 innings.
- Washburn says the Mariners are "definitely toward the top of my list." His desired contract length is unknown, except that he doesn't want to play for another four years. It's not known whether the Mariners want him back. SI's Jon Heyman expects the Brewers to be in the mix; Washburn was born in Wisconsin.
- Washburn's performance with the Tigers pushed him out of Type B status, so there's no reason for them to offer arbitration.
