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I am getting really tired of the myth that continues to persist that such a thing as a contract-year spike exists. It doesn't. For every player who has his career year right before a new contract, there are 20 who fail miserably right before their new contract and 20 who have their career year in the middle of a big contract.
And the numbers do not make the case that Washburn is identical to 2008 form now...his GB/FB has changed, his Z-Contact% has changed, his O-Sw% has changed. He's obviously more eceptive and more able to get some grounders. Both of which come from real changes he's made to his game.