My hat goes off to FOXSports.com Ken Rosenthal, who is still hard at work reporting the latest buzz while most of the other news outlets are quieting down for the night. In the last few minutes, he has updated the situation with Mariners LHP Jarrod Washburn for the umpteenth time today. As of now, it appears the Yankees, Tigers and Brewers are still talking about a deal for him. No one seems to have the inside track and the Mariners haven't signaled a clear intent to trade him. Rosenthal quotes a source,
"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."
Just yesterday, the Mariners traded for Pirates shortstop Jack Wilson and RHP Ian Snell. They are six games back in the wild card and 7 1/2 in the AL West. Talks between the Yankees and Mariners were described as being in the "early stages" today, less than 24 hours before the deadline.
Washburn will be a free agent at the end of the season and while Mariners GM Jack Zduriencik said they would be open to talks of a contract extension, he also said he was willing to listen to offers. ESPN's Buster Olney shot down a report that the Mariners asked for and were refused Yankees Joba Chamberlain or Phil Hughes.
As for the Brewers, while it was reported earlier in the week that they had an interest, GM Doug Melvin said they probably wouldn't consider any rental players at this time.