Rob hit on this yesterday, and now SI’s Jon Heyman has more on the potential deal that would send Jarrod Washburn to the Bronx.  He makes it clear that both teams would be trying to clear salary, noting that Seattle may be trying to move Jose Vidro in the same deal.

At first I thought it bizarre that the Yankees would consider taking on Vidro, but after looking at their roster it isn’t that far fetched.  Not a great move for them, but it could happen.

Heyman say the Yankees want to send Japanese lefty Kei Igawa in return.  Some of you may cringe at thought of bringing him in, but I think it would be an okay move.  Igawa is still just 29 years old and despite his MLB struggles, he’s been solid in AAA over the past two seasons.  He’d be under contract through the 2011 season at $4M per season, and Heyman suggests that New York would pay some of that in return for Vidro (absurd, I know!). 

Seattle would be getting a top Japanese pitcher without having to pay the $26M posting fee that New York did before the 2007 season.  I think it’s a low risk, mid-to-high reward acquisition, especially considering Seattle may need some bodies to fill in the rotation over the next 2 seasons, depending on which starters are moved this year and over the offseason, and considering the price of starting pitching nowadays.   Prospects would be nice, but the Yankees are reluctant to give any for Washburn, so Igawa could be a smart gamble for Seattle.  Or perhaps a prospect or two would be included as well.

Thoughts?  I can see the readers being on both sides of the fence here.

UPDATE 2:52pm: John Hickey adds a report of his own.  It’s hard to tell if he has his own insight or if he’s going off of the reports previously mentioned.