Washburn, M's agree to $37.5 million, four-year contract

Jarrod Washburn and the Mariners agreed to a $37.5 million, four-year contract today, giving Seattle the proven starting pitcher it has been looking for this offseason.

The left-hander went 8-8 with a 3.20 ERA in 29 starts for the AL West champion Los Angeles Angels last season. He joins a team that is coming off consecutive last-place finishes, but Washburn is confident the Mariners will rebound because of quality players such as Ichiro Suzuki, Adrian Beltre and Richie Sexson.

"There's no question in my mind this team is going to be good," Washburn said at a Safeco Field news conference this evening.

Washburn is 75-57 with a 3.93 ERA during his eight-year major league career, all with the Angels.

Asked about the price the Mariners are paying for a pitcher who has won more than 11 games just once, Seattle general manager Bill Bavasi said: "The market is what it is."

"Jarrod is a proven major league winner who immediately makes us better in the starting rotation," Bavasi said.

Washburn went 18-6 during the Angels' 2002 World Series championship season. He started Game 2 of the AL championship series against the Chicago White Sox this October after recovering from strep throat. He allowed an unearned run and four hits in 4 2-3 innings. His illness forced him to miss a scheduled start in the previous round against the New York Yankees.

Washburn fills Seattle's primary offseason need — another starter to help anchor a staff led by 43-year-old Jamie Moyer, who re-signed with the team earlier this month.

The Mariners also have 19-year-old phenom Felix Hernandez, who went 4-4 with a 2.67 ERA as a rookie last season. Called up to the majors on Aug. 4, he struck out 77 and walked 23.

The Mariners, who lost 93 games this year and 99 in 2004, must decide by Tuesday night's deadline whether to offer contracts to Gil Meche and Ryan Franklin, two other members of their rotation. Both are eligible for arbitration.

The team had been talking to Washburn's agent, Scott Boras, about another one of his clients, Kevin Millwood. But Millwood is believed to be seeking a five-year contract.