Jarrod Washburn a future Twin?

I saw something that I found mighty interesting yesterday over at www.mlbtraderumors.com. They are reporting that the Twins have made an offer to free agent pitcher Jarrod Washburn in the 6-7 million range. Most Twins fans myself including thought when Carl Pavano accepted arbitration that would put an end to the Twins pursuit of a veteran pitcher. The thought was with young pitchers like Francisco Liriano who is only 26 years old, and Brian Duensing at only 26 who each have major league experience. Then you have guys like Jeff Manship and Anthony Swarzak who got a taste of the major leagues last season. However, with that being said Jarrod Washburn is a solid major league pitcher who has a proven track record. Here are a few of important stats on Washburn for those that don't know much about him.

• Jarrod Washburn career stats: 107-109 record with a 4.10 era in 312 games including 300 starts. Those are ok numbers and that is what he has always been is a average pitcher. He will have some great starts, but he will also have some starts where he gets lit up. His velocity is down so he has to get by on guile and guts. His best season came in 2002 when he led the Anaheim Angels to a world series championship when he went 18-6 with a 3.15 era. But, since then his numbers have continually gone down hill until last season. He had his best season in many years in 2009 splitting his season between Seattle and Detroit.

• In 2009 Washburn went 9-9 with a 3.78 era in 28 starts before going down with a knee injury that would prematurely end his season. He pitched 176 innings and walked 49 while striking out 100. You could split his 2009 season into the BKI and AKI as in Before Knee Injury and After Knee Injury. In 20 starts before his knee injury Washburn went 8-6 with a very good 2.64 era along with 33 walks and 79 strikeouts. Then after the knee injury he went 1-3 with a 7.33 era in 8 starts. The bottom line with him is look at his stats in July as in 6 starts he went 4-1 with a 1.44 era. Jarrod Washburn is a workhorse that will give you close to 200 innings every year and will keep you in the game most times. At this point of his career he is a backend starter who will give you some quality innings, but the question is it the right decision to not go with young guys instead go with a veteran. In years past decisions like this have blown up in the Twins faces. With the likes of Livan Hernandez, Ramon Ortiz, and Sidney Ponson those decisions have not worked out. I may be the only one out there that thinks Jarrod Washburn has life still in his arm. His 2.64 era in those 20 starts tells me there is some life still in his arm. I think he has the ability to be a good contributer to the Twins if they get the contract done. I really think it would be a good move for the Twins going forward.

• In a little surprising move the Twins released Bobby Keppel from the 40 man roster. Keppel was not expected to make the 25 man roster out of spring training, but most felt he would be released in spring training. The only logical reason for them to do this now is they are planning on replacing him on the 40 man roster soon. That could mean a Jarrod Washburn signing or it could be a Mike Lowell trade. Should be interesting month of January as the Twins likely finalize their team and hopefully get a contract extension with Joe Mauer done so it should be interesting.