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Let me clarify that I don't believe the "embarassment factor" is the ONLY reason Z hasn't signed Wash.  But, I do believe it is *A* factor.
That said, it's actually difficult to define why Wash was traded to begin with.  The team was still peripherally in the playoff hunt at the time - Wash really wasn't very expensive, and the team didn't have any "obvious" uber-spec coming up to take his place.  Heck, French was a mandate for the trade BECAUSE the club didn't have faith in its own near-ready pitching.
In many ways, I think Wash was traded to appease an ornery fanbase.  Personally, if the push from the fans and pundits that selling high on Wash was a factor in his decision making, I'd imagine Z is doing some headdesk action these days as the blog-o-sphere goes on about the plusses of bringing him back.  (It's utterly amazing how many people have forgotten how much they dispised Washburn for the better part of 3 seasons).
Personally, I think if there is a "prime" reason for not bringing Wash back -- it's because Z has faith that he can get "league average" performance, (about what Wash brings) from somebody out of the BOR-ghetti box that he's assembled.  But, I think the embarassment angle would make it a LOT more complex for Z personally - if he were to decide that Washburn would genuinely improve the club (at a low cost). 
If there is a variable that the fans overlook in these things -- it is that ALL of these decisions are made with humans dealing with humans.  Over time, you'll see the same pairs of teams make 5, 6, 7 trades with each other - while never dealing with other clubs.  It's not ALL about talent.  A lot of it is about personalities and building up TRUST that your'e dealing with someone who isn't simply trying to rob you blind.  There has to be the BELIEF that a trade is mutually beneficial -- and when it is -- that makes the NEXT deal a lot easier to put together.
Anyone who has played in a fantasy or sim league understands you learn which owners are reasonable, and which are just trying to induce someone into doing something stupid.  And in MLB, GMs have personalities, just like in every other profession.  In many ways it's a Used Car Salesmen Convention.  And when you're the new kid on the block, you need to make sure you don't leave a lastingly bad first impression.