Tigers acquire Washburn from Mariners
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Friday, July 31, 2009 - Seattle, WA (Sports Network) - The Detroit Tigers made a move to bolster their starting rotation Friday, acquiring lefty Jarrod Washburn from the Seattle Mariners in exchange for a pair of left-handed pitchers.
Washburn will head to Detroit in exchange for Luke French and Mauricio Robles.
"We are excited to add an established starter the caliber of Jarrod Washburn to our club," said Tigers general manager David Dombrowski. "Washburn is having a tremendous season, and he has been a quality major league starter throughout his career."
Washburn is in the final year of a four-year contract he signed with Seattle and is having a resurgence, posting an 8-6 record with a 2.64 ERA in 20 games this season. His ERA is a career-best, with his previous best a 3.15 ERA in 2002 for the Angels, who won the World Series that season.
In 12 seasons for the Angels and Mariners, the 34-year-old Washburn is 106-106 with a 4.02 ERA in 304 games -- 292 starts.
French has split the season between Triple-A Toledo and Detroit and is 1-2 with a 3.38 in seven games -- five starts -- with the big league club. He is expected to join the Mariners major league team.
"We had an opportunity to acquire two starting left-handed pitchers under the age of 23, including one with major league experience (French)," Mariners general manager Jack Zduriencik said. "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."
Robles, who has been in Single-A all season, will report to High Desert of the California League. |
