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Tigers trade for Washburn

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Michigan Man

Posted: Jul 31 2009, 11:25 AM

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QUOTE

SEATTLE -- After days of debate, the Seattle Mariners traded left-handed pitcher Jarrod Washburn to the Detroit Tigers for two young pitchers, giving the Tigers another veteran for their rotation as they try to hold on to the AL Central lead.

With Washburn's trade value at its highest, the Mariners sent the 34-year-old to the Tigers for left-hander Luke French and minor-league prospect Mauricio Robles. The deal was announced just hours before the non-waiver 4 p.m. ET trade deadline arrived.

"We had an opportunity to acquire two starting left-handed pitchers under the age of 23, including one with Major League experience," Seattle general manager Jack Zduriencik said in a statement. "As we continue to build the Mariners organization, it is crucial that we acquire depth and quality.

"This deal is another step in that process."

Zduriencik told ESPN's Peter Gammons that there also washeavy interest in Mariners ace Felix Hernandez.

"I had calls," Zduriencik told Gammons, "and I listen to everyone. But it would have taken too much to even discuss a realistic trade."

Washburn is in the final months of a $37.5 million, four-year contract. He was Seattle's most attractive commodity: a veteran left-handed starter who has won a World Series, in 2002 with Anaheim.

The debate on moving Washburn went right to the deadline because the surprising Mariners stayed in the AL West and wild-card races longer than expected. But after losing 7-1 on Thursday night in Texas, the Mariners stood eight games back of the Angels in the division and 6� behind Boston in the wild-card race, and Zduriencik this week acknowledged "we're a club that's a little bit on the outside, looking in."

Washburn has turned around his career this season with a new, split-fingered fastball. He was a combined 23-43 in his first three years with the Mariners entering 2009, a disappointing run he recently called "a tired act." But he is 8-6 with a 2.64 ERA in 20 starts this season.

In his last five starts spanning 36 2/3 innings, Washburn has allowed just three earned runs and 20 hits.

The 23-year-old French has pitched for both Detroit and Triple-A Toledo this season. He is 1-2 with a 3.38 ERA in five starts for the Tigers. He limited Seattle to a pair of earned runs in 5 1-3 innings on July 23 in Detroit.

At Toledo, French was 4-4 with a 2.98 ERA in 13 starts.

Robles, 20, started the season at West Michigan in the Midwest League. He was later promoted to Single-A Lakeland in the Florida State League in June and in his seven starts at Lakeland, Robles is 4-2 with a 3.60 ERA.

French and Robles were not among the top 10 prospects in the Tigers' organization entering this season, according to Baseball America.

I'm excited about this trade. This adds another great pitcher to our starting lineup and gives us a left hander. He is 3rd best in the AL in ERA and 1st in WHIP. I think this gives the Tigers the best starting lineup in all of baseball. If they can get some consistent offense down the stretch the Tigers will be in the playoffs for sure.

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