Yanks Eying Several Starting Pitchers

The Yankees are apparently scouting the Dodgers' Derek Lowe, and also might have interest in the Mariners' lefty Jarrod Washburn, who the M's would like to unload.

From George King:

Yankee scout Rick Williams is following the Dodgers, who will entertain offers for right-hander Derek Lowe if he will bring L.A. a much-needed bat. Lowe is a free agent after the season.

From Dan Graziano:

The Seattle Mariners had a scout at Monday night's Yankees-Twins game. The same scout also watched the Yankees' Double-A Trenton club within the past few days. The Mariners would like to trade left-handed starter Jarrod Washburn, who would fit the Yankees' need for a back-end starting pitcher. Washburn is making $9.85 million this year and $10.35 million next year and has a limited no-trade clause, and Seattle isn't interested in paying any of the money as a condition of the trade. So they might accept less in return in terms of talent from a team willing to take on the entire salary, but it's unclear whether the Yankees, who are looking to trim their 2009 payroll, are such a team. Who could Seattle be looking at on the major-league team? Outfielders Brett Gardner, Justin Christian and even Melky Cabrera are names that could be on the block if the Yankees find something they like.

Jarrod Washburn is 4-9 with a 4.75 ERA and a 1.48 WHIP. But he does have a 2.82 ERA in his career at Yankee Stadium.

Derek Lowe is 7-8 with a 3.97 ERA and a 1.25 WHIP. The last time he pitched in the AL Lowe had an ERA of 5.42.

I wouldn't trade Melky or Gardner for either of these guys. With Matsui probably done for the year, and Damon's struggles to stay healthy, the Yankees are going to need both Melky and Gardner. I'd hope the Yankees could get a deal done without giving up either of them.

There have also been rumors that the Yanks are interested in A.J. Burnett but Jon Heyman reported today that:

The Yankees have been connected to Burnett. But one Yankees person said he feared Burnett's contract. They don't like that Burnett could opt for free agency after this year if he pitches well, or opt to keep the $22 million if he bombs or gets hurt. Understandable. The last time a Yankees player had an opt-out clause, it was A-Rod.

The asking price from the Jays would also probably be too much.

UPDATE 1:48 p.m.: On an ESPN live chat Buster Olney said that the Yankees are interested in Washburn, and that "it is being discussed seriously by the Yankees." He also said that he would probably cost the Yankees Kei Igawa and another "secondary prospect."

If the Yanks could get him for as little as that I'd make the move immediately.