Another MLB Trade Before The Deadline

Sports Betting News - July 31st, 2009 - Written by Ryan Smith

After weeks of wondering what team would pull the trigger and make the right offer to the Toronto Blue Jays for ace pitcher Roy Halladay, Another trade was made involving a different choice pitcher in the American League. Just hours before the MLB trade deadline The Seattle Mariners traded away Left-handed Jarrod Washburn to the Detroit Tigers for Two minor league pitching prospects. The Mariners who are falling out of contention in the A.L. West have decided to cut a prominent price on their pay roll and gain more Farm system prospects for a future run at the Division.

The team that profits the most from this trade however is with out a doubt the Detroit Tigers. The Detroit Tigers have depended on the all-star play of pitchers Justin Verlander and Edwin Jackson all year long and still have the lead in the A.L. central. With just over 50 games left in the regular season, the Detroit Tigers have minor two game lead over the Minnesota Twins. The Tigers have played well this year despite not having Dontrelle Willis and Jeremy Bonderman available to pitch.

The Tigers have now added a 34 year-old Jarrod Washburn to middle of their rotation, A Washburn that is 8-6 with an ERA of 2.64 in 20 starts already on the season. Washburn has added different pitches to his arsenal in recent years, one of which is the splitter, a pitch that he attributes to most of his success. Over the last 5 starts Washburn has allowed 20 hits and only three earned runs, spanning over 36 plus innings. Washburn who won a World Series with Anaheim in 2002, is in the last year of his 4 year $37.5 million contract. The mariners have already paid most of the last year of the contract this season, and Washburn will become a free agent at the end of this season. The Tigers should manage to keep a hold of the 2 game lead in the A.L. central and earn a bid to the playoffs with Washburn pitching every 5 days.

The Seattle franchise well get two young and talented pitching prospects in return for Washburn. Luke French who has started 5 times for the Tigers this season, one start came recently against the Mariners. French gave up two runs in that game and pitch over 5 innings of big league ball. The Mariners liked what they saw and wanted French in the deal. Mauricio Robles is the other young pitcher included in the trade, only 20 years old, Robles is 4-2 with a 3.60 ERA in minor league ball.

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