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...makes my case FOR me that this was not just Washburn pitching with a little more gusto hoping to cash in. A "contract year" player is one who only maxes out his effort when money is on the line. Washburn is actually pitching better...and for identifiable reasons that are very projectable going forward. It likely has not one darned thing to do with his upcoming contract. Clinging to that illogical assumption isn't going to help us understand the game any better.