The Jarrod Washburn trade– you know, the one where he was dealt to the Yankees and was all but official– has fallen through, according to Newsday and various other sources.  Seattle was apparently insisting that New York take all of Washburn’s salary andgive up a decent prospect (or two?).  Seattle apparently wasn’t eager to take Kei Igawa in the trade, which would have made it easier for the Yankees to part with the young talent.  Newsday goes along with what Geoff Baker wrote a few days ago in that the two teams could match up after the deadline if they choose to, as Washburn and his steep salary should easily clear waivers.  One fan said he heard Yankees GM Brian Cashman on XM radio saying that no player names have been discussed with the Mariners, so who knows which of the various reports we’ve gotten over the last week or two are true.

Luckily, Seattle has a new suitor for Washburn: the Colorado Rockies, though it’s unknown how serious they are.  It’s hard to know if a deal will get done at all, because Seattle is reportedly asking one NL team for two top-10 prospects.  Maybe the Mariners really were asking for both Melky Cabrera and Brett Gardner from the Yankees, a proposition that seemed absolutely ludacris.

Seattle is still discussing Raul Ibanez with the New York Mets, but there isn’t much headway being made.  While the high price for Washburn seems a little unnecessary, the high price the team is seeking for Ibanez makes a little more sense considering he’s on his way to type-A free agent status.  Despite the constant reports linking the Mets and Ibanez, one Mariner insider doesn’t think the Amazin’s are nearly as interested as the reports indicate.  I wouldn’t be surprised, because that same New York media had everyone believing that Washburn was a Yankee, when talks didn’t get far at all.  The Arizona Diamondbacks are no longer interested in Ibanez.

The Chicago Cubs are interested in Raul Ibanez again, though a deal is not close.  You may remember that they were interested in him over the offseason before signing Fukudome.

Seattle will apparently listen to offers on J.J. Putz, though they reportedly shut down the Boston Red Sox when they were in town.  The St. Louis Cardinals and those same Red Sox are interested.  I think that if he has any value at all the team should deal him.  It continues to be a season of ups and downs for him, and his struggles will likely keep Brandon Morrow in the ‘pen for the rest of this season anyway.  Trade Putz if anything worthwhile is coming back, use Morrow as closer this year, use Mark Lowe or someone else next year until Josh Fields is ready.

The Florida Marlins, Milwaukee Brewers and Mets are the most common teams linked to Arthur Rhodes at this point.  The Marlins may be close to adding him, according to this report.  Seattle is looking for a mid-level minor leaguer in return.  Whether or not Washburn and Ibanez go anywhere, you can bet Rhodes will be playing elsewhere in a couple days.

The San Francisco Giants are thinking about going after Adrian Beltre.  The team has been linked to Beltre in the past.