Detroit Tigers Get Jarrod Washburn From Seattle Mariners

The Tigers' biggest need seemed to be a bat, what with their offense ranking 10th in the American League in runs scored. Instead, they traded Friday for lefty Jarrod Washburn, who had been third in the AL in ERA for the Mariners.

A team source said Detroit is still seeking offensive help, although there has yet to be a match with Baltimore for Luke Scott. But there aren't as many impact bats available at the trade deadline, so the front office began exploring bolstering its rotation instead. Justin Verlander, Edwin Jackson and Rick Porcello have been very good, but Armando Galarraga had struggled and Luke French was filling the fifth spot.

There were middle- to back-of-the-rotation pitchers available, and Washburn fit the bill. The Tigers gave up French and Single-A lefty Mauricio Robles.

Washburn is scheduled to start for Detroit on Tuesday night against Baltimore. He was 8-6 with a 2.64 ERA for Seattle, ranking second in the league with a .223 batting average against.

Detroit now has three of the AL's top seven pitchers in ERA, with Jackson second (2.59) and Verlander seventh (3.16).

French appeared in seven games (five starts) for the Tigers this season, going 1-2 with a 3.38 ERA. Robles was 8-6 record with a 4.24 ERA in 18 starts for two Class A teams.

Seattle had seemed to be a buyer with its acquisition of shortstop Jack Wilson from Seattle. But this trade signals the Mariners are giving up on the wild-card chase, in which they are fourth, 6 1/2 games behind the Red Sox.

"We had an opportunity to acquire two starting left-handed pitchers under the age of 23, including one with major-league experience," M's general manager Jack Zduriencik said in a prepared 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."