SEATTLE, 21 December 2005 — The Seattle Mariners found the starting pitcher they’ve been looking for this off-season, and Jarrod Washburn got the multiyear contract he’s always wanted.
Washburn agreed to a $37.5 million, four-year deal with the Mariners on Monday, leaving the AL West champions Los Angeles Angels for a team coming off consecutive last-place finishes.
“Jarrod is a proven major league winner who immediately makes us better in the starting rotation,” Seattle general manager Bill Bavasi said. And apparently, so ends a spending spree the Mariners hope will return them to the top of the division. Last month, they signed Japanese catcher Kenji Johjima to a $16.5 million, three-year deal. Two weeks ago, they brought back 43-year-old starter Jamie Moyer for one year and $5.5 million. And they also added former White Sox designated hitter Carl Everett for one season at $4 million.
Now comes Washburn. He gets a hefty sum for a pitcher who has just one season with more than 11 wins. For Washburn, it is the first multiyear contract the self-described Wisconsin farm boy has had in the major leagues.
“It’s something I’ve always been working for,” he said. The Mariners approached agent Scott Boras about acquiring Washburn or Kevin Millwood. But when Boras insisted Millwood would sign only a five-year deal, Washburn became the target.
White Sox, Pierzynski Agree to $15m Three-Year Deal
In Chicago, all along, A.J. Pierzynski claimed he found a home in Chicago. He probably won’t be moving anytime soon. The catcher and the Chicago White Sox agreed Monday to a $15 million, three-year contract and avoided salary arbitration. Pierzynski, who was eligible for free agency in 2006, will earn $4 million next season and $5.5 million each in 2007 and 2008.
“At least I know for three years what I’m going to be doing and hopefully where I’ll be playing,” Pierzynski said.
“They could always trade me, but hopefully, we can stay together and we can win. If we win, hopefully, I won’t go anywhere. It means a lot that a team has enough respect for what you do to give you three years and make you feel comfortable.”
