This one got past me yesterday.  Ed Price of the Star-Ledger:

A person familiar with the Seattle Mariners’ plans, who asked not to be named because of the sensitive nature of trade discussions, said a possible trade of lefty Jarrod Washburn to the Yankees has “got legs” and predicted “something will happen there.”

The person said talks have progressed between the sides. The Yankees today held meetings between the baseball-operations staff and ownership in preparation for trade-deadline moves and thus could be prepared to pull the trigger soon.

Kei Igawa’s name has come up, as a way to offset Washburn’s salary ($10.35 million next year and about $3.4 million for the remainder of this year), but the Mariners aren’t sold on Igawa. One area of need for Seattle in in center field, and while the Yankees have put Double-A Trenton’s Austin Jackson off-limits, Brett Gardner or Melky Cabrera could be discussed.

It’s no surprise that Seattle isn’t “sold on” Igawa, and it’s encouraging that there is a chance we could deal Washburn and get something worthwhile back.

Melky Cabrera, as we know, is capable of putting up a respectable average while providing some gap power and drawing a few walks.  Despite being in his third MLB season, he isonly 23 years old, so he has plenty of time to refine his skills and become a solid, consistent contributor.

Brett Gardner is slightly older than Melky but lacks the MLB experience.  He could have the makings of a good leadoff man as his minor league numbers show some fantastic walk rates and bulky stolen base totals.  He was ranked as the Yankees eighth best prospect at the beginning of the season by Baseball America.

I would think that Seattle would want Melky of the two.  Seattle has some decent outfield depth in AA and AAA (Balentien, Saunders, Halman, etc.), so it would make sense that they’d go for the MLB proven guy that can step in right away, unless they think Gardner can hold his own.

If Seattle has a chance to dump Washburn and Vidro’s contracts, take a gamble on Igawa and get a semi-promising youngster in return, I’m all for it.