A crowd of reporters engulfing Jarrod Wasburns locker made the pitcher an easy target for teammates looking to take a few playful shots.
Are you still my teammate? Mike Sweeney yelled Monday as he walked past. You guys got me worried what is going on.
For now, Washburn is still wearing a Seattle Mariners jersey and is preparing to make his next start on Tuesday against the Toronto Blue Jays.
That doesnt mean Washburn is oblivious to what this week means with the non-waiver trade deadline rapidly approaching on Friday and the Mariners starting Monday 7 1/2 games back in the AL West.
Washburns stellar rebound season combined with his upcoming free-agent status makes him one of the top pitchers believed to be available for the last two months of the season.
You get a lot of calls this time of year, and people text and e-mail saying, What is going on? What are you hearing? Washburn said. I tell them all the same thing, You guys hear just as much as I do and Ill let you know if something happens.
Washburn is scheduled to take the mound Tuesday night against the Blue Jays. Hell be going for his fifth straight win following a month of strong efforts that have his trade value at the highest its been since he arrived in Seattle.
Last year Washburn had a 5-9 record and 4.50 ERA when the trade deadline arrived and the Mariners balked at moving him to Minnesota in a minor deal.
Now sitting at 8-6 with a 2.71 ERA, Washburn is likely to command a top prospect or proven major league player if any deal goes through.
Seattle general manager Jack Zduriencik didnt say much about the Mariners situation before Mondays game, saying communication with other teams has picked up, but it doesnt necessarily mean a move will be made. Seattle lost a pair of games in the AL West standings getting swept by Cleveland over the weekend.
Washburn says he doesnt get distracted by the constant rumors. But just in case he is traded sometime soon his wife made his specialty meal, fish, for the family on Monday. He also got an early morning phone call from his dad on Monday asking if rumors of a deal with the Milwaukee Brewers had come true.
I said, Come on dad. Dont you think Id call you if that happened? said Washburn, a Wisconsin native.
