Report: Mariners land Washburn

Landing one of their top free-agent pitching targets of the offseason, the Mariners apparently have reached agreement with left-hander Jarrod Washburn on a four-year contract.

The deal was not finalized Friday night. Among other details to be settled, the pitcher must pass a team physical.

Financial aspects are uncertain. But whatever the exact numbers turn out to be, it figures to be the biggest contract Seattle has given to a pitcher. While one industry source said between $30 million and $35 million earlier in the day, CBS SportsLine.com later ran a story saying Washburn will get $36 million to $38 million, which might include a signing bonus.

The Mariners do not comment on unannounced personnel matters, but Seattle's scouting reports on Washburn are very strong, citing his dedication and makeup.

In addition, Mariners general manager Bill Bavasi is very familiar with Washburn from Bavasi's tenure as general manager of the Angels from 1994 to 1999.

Washburn was a second-round draft pick by the Angels in 1995, and worked his way up the minor-league system, sticking in the big leagues in 2001. A year later, he went 18-6, his best mark in the majors.

Last season, while dealing with forearm problems, Washburn was 8-8 in 29 starts, but had an earned-run average of 3.20, fourth-best in the American League. He had a road ERA of 2.65, second only to Toronto's Roy Halladay at 2.09, and a league-leading ERA for night games of 2.53.

Jarrod Washburn by the numbers

2 — Round he was drafted by Angels in 1995.

3.20 — ERA in 2005, ranking fourth in league.

18 — Career high in wins (with six losses), in 2002.

34 — Homers allowed in 2003, tied for most in AL.

139 — Career high in strikeouts, in 2002.

Washburn can be expected to fill the No. 3 spot in the Seattle rotation, with Jamie Moyer and Felix Hernandez going 1-2, and Joel Pineiro and Gil Meche rounding out the starting group.

A published report that Meche would be not be tendered a contract by the Tuesday deadline is believed to be incorrect. In fact, barring a change of mind, the Mariners are expected to tender contracts to Meche, Julio Mateo and Willie Bloomquist. At this point, the only arbitration-eligible player not expected to be sent a contract by the deadline is pitcher Ryan Franklin.

One of the Mariners' rationale is that the $3 million to $4 million that Franklin might have sought in arbitration will be used to help pay for Washburn's contract.

In addition, the signing of Washburn might not kill Seattle's trade talks with Boston, which involves outfielder Jeremy Reed. However, the signing of a high-priced pitcher means the Mariners are on pace to reach their player payroll budget of $95 million and are limited in the salaries they might add.

Thus, if discussions continue with the Red Sox, Seattle would no longer be able to trade for pitcher Matt Clement, who will make more than $16 million over the next two years — unless the Red Sox are willing to take Meche (expected to make between $3 million and $4 million in 2006) to make the deal closer to equal in salaries.

If Meche is not included, the Mariners are expected to turn their preference for Bronson Arroyo into a demand. Arroyo, who made $1.85 million last season, should make between $3 million and $4 million next year.

Seattle could enlarge the offer to include a relief pitcher. If Arroyo, or any other starting pitcher, is acquired, Meche might be non-tendered.

With agent Scott Boras reportedly seeking a five-year contract, the Mariners believed they couldn't land Millwood, so they focused on Washburn.

Of Washburn, an American League scout said: "If the Mariners get the guy, they'll like him. He has great character, a real drive to succeed. His record last year was more from a lack of run support than lack of good pitching on his part. He can get in trouble if he nibbles, but he did that less last year than he did the previous couple of years. He's a flyball pitcher and he'll benefit from pitching in Safeco."

Bob Finnigan: 206-464-8276 or bfinnigan@seattletimes.com