Mariners trade LHP Washburn to Tigers
July 31, 2009
SEATTLE (AP)—After days of debate, the Seattle Mariners traded left-handedpitcher Jarrod Washburn(notes) to the Detroit Tigers for two young pitchers, giving theTigers another veteran for their rotation as they try to hold on to the ALCentral lead.
With Washburn’s trade value at its highest, the Mariners sent the34-year-old to the Tigers for left-hander Luke French(notes) and minor leaguer MauricioRobles. The deal was announced just hours before the non-waiver trade deadlinearrived.
“Washburn is having a tremendous season and he has been a quality majorleague starter throughout his career,” Tigers general manager Dave Dombrowskisaid.
Washburn is 106-106 since making his big league debut for the Angels in1998.
He has turned around his career this season with a new, split-fingeredfastball. He was a combined 23-43 in his first three years with the Marinersentering 2009, a disappointing run he recently called “a tired act.”
Washburn is 8-6 with a 2.64 ERA in 20 starts this season. His ERA isthird-best in the AL, and he ranks second in holding opponents to a .223 battingaverage.
In his last five starts, Washburn has allowed just three earned runs and 20hits.
FILE — This is a July 8, 2009… AP – Jul 31, 12:01 pm EDT
Washburn is scheduled to start Tuesday night at Comerica Park againstBaltimore. The Tigers went into the weekend with a two-game division lead overMinnesota.
“We had an opportunity to acquire two starting left-handed pitchers underthe age of 23, including one with major league experience,” Seattle generalmanager Jack Zduriencik said in a statement. “As we continue to build theMariners organization, it is crucial that we acquire depth and quality.
“This deal is another step in that process.”
Washburn is in the final months of a $37.5 million, four-year contract. Hewas Seattle’s most attractive commodity: a veteran left-handed starter who haswon a World Series, in 2002 with Anaheim.
The debate on moving Washburn went right to the deadline because thesurprising Mariners stayed in the AL West and wild card races longer thanexpected. But after losing 7-1 on Thursday night in Texas, the Mariners stoodeight games back of the Angels in the division and 6 1/2 behind Boston in the wildcard race, and Zduriencik this week acknowledged “we’re a club that’s a littlebit on the outside, looking in.”
The 23-year-old French has pitched for both Detroit and Triple-A Toledo thisseason. He is 1-2 with a 3.38 ERA in five starts for the Tigers. He limitedSeattle 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. Hewas later promoted to Single-A Lakeland in the Florida State League in June andin his seven starts at Lakeland, Robles is 4-2 with a 3.60 ERA. He will beassigned to Class A High Desert.
French and Robles were not among the top 10 prospects in the Tigers’organization entering this season, according to Baseball America.
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