Tigers Trade for Jarrod Washburn

On the final day of the trade deadline, the Detroit Tigers acquired left-handed pitcher Jarrod Washburn from the Seattle Mariners for pitching prospects Luke French and Mauricio Robles. The Tigers hope they added a key piece to their team as they try to make a run into the playoffs and the Mariners hope they added key pieces for their future.

With the addition of Washburn to Detroit's rotation, the Tigers may have one of the best rotations in the AL with Justin Verlander, Edwin Jackson, Armando Gallaraga, and rookie Rick Porcello. The Tigers now have 3 of the top 10 pitchers in ERA in the league. Washburn is having a great year, coming over with a 8-6 record and 2.64 ERA in 20 starts this season. This is his best year since 2002 with the Angels. He has compiled a 106-106 record throughout his career. This is a great addition to the Tigers even though they were thought to have been looking for a much needed bat. If the Tigers rotation and Washburn can keep up their successes this season, I see the them winning the Central and possibly making a deep run in the playoffs. The offense will have to improve at least a little bit though as they seem to be struggling to score runs as of late.

Luke French comes to Seattle after making 5 starts with Detroit and going 1-2 with a 3.38 ERA. He is a 23 year old left-hander who has showed maturity in his few appearances with the Tigers. Mauricio Robles is a 20 year old left-hander who began the season in West Michigan and was promoted to Class-A Lakeland where he went 4-2 with a 3.60 ERA. Robles is a hard thrower who shows excellent command and gets many strikeouts.

This was a great deal for both teams involved. Detroit bolstered its rotation by adding a proven veteran lefty who has experience in the World Series when he won one in 2002. Seattle added two young left-handers who have shown promise and can possibly become great pitchers for years to come. Washburn's contract is over at the end of this season and he will become a free-agent. He is likely to command a high price tag as Scott Boras is his agent. Even if the Tigers do not re-sign him, they have improved their chances this season of making the playoffs and did so without giving up any top 10 minor league prospects. Detroit fans should be excited for a deep playoff run.

Source: http://www.mlive.com/tigers/index.ssf/2009/07/jarrod_washburn_a_twomonth_ren.html