But IMHO the Garcia to Washburn comp is COMPLETELY illigitemate.
In 2004 Freddy Garcia was:
a #1 (not a ACE, but a #1 none the less)
in the prime of career (only 29)
just got done posting a solid run of ERA+'s although had only average/solid years the previous two instead of the spectacular years he had in his first 3
had that year reestablished himself as a #1 (with a 142 ERA+)
Was a power pitcher pitching in a park not suited for him (RH power pitcher (read challenger) in the safe)
In 2009 Jarrod Washburn was:
Mostly regarded as finished as a MLB SP to start the year, and in fact contemplated retirement
Old (34 is NOT the time to be buying high on a post steriods era player)
just got done posting 5 out of 6 years of average to below average ERA+s
Was a solid #4 with the results of a good #2
Was a lefty finesse pitcher pitching in the perfect home park for him
Was getting very lucky and unsustainable results and everyone knew it.
There was no way on God's Green Earth that Washburn had anywhere NEAR the trade value that Freddy had, and I STILL think Jacky Z did better than Bavasi. Maybe it is hindsight tricking me, but I was VERY underwhelmed when the Freddy trade went down and I am still fume when I think all we got for a #1 picther was a light hitting LF (Reed), a raw uncoachable (not a good combo) catching prospect (Olivio, career OPS+ 64) and a light hitting DH (Morse)
It is easy to sit back and say we heard about this rumor for Wash, or what about this raw kid for Wash, but we do NOT know any trade offered OTHER THAN the one that was taken. And personally I would rather have ONE A+ prospect (Robles) than 4 meh C prospects (anything coming from the yankees over hyped system)
So to recap, the comp between Wash and Fred is totally not fair and yet I STILL think that JackZ got a better return than BillB did :)