French, Robles for Washburn

[r@cosun]

The Tigers were able to swing a deal to acquire former Mariners lefty Jerrod Washburn, who is currently third in the AL in ERA, just behind Edwin Jackson. They gave up young lefty Luke French and 20-year-old class A prospect Mauricio Robles. All-in-all, a fairly cheap trade for a rental player who could (and should) help us out down the stretch. Neither French or Robles were considered to be a top-10 prospect in our farm system, so I doubt we just saw a repeat of the Doyle Alexander/John Smoltz trade (which I'm really tired of reading about nowadays).

Yeah DD, now get us a bat please. Less than an hour left, hurry!

[riverfrontier]

Yes! Nicely done, Dave. Now just be careful before you sign another lefty with a sketchy track record to a huge extension.

I had my fingers crossed that Dombrowski might pull a Houdini and land Victor Martinez for us, but I doubt the Indians would have wanted to be playing against him in their own division.

I didn't notice if the Sox or Twins made any significant moves, but our team just got a lot better.

Here's hoping the Yankees do to the White Sox what they just did to us.

Washburn will most likely start the first game of the series after Cleveland in Baltimore.


Go Tigers.

[r@cosun]

In what could be a move that trumps our acquisition of Washburn, the Sox went out and landed Jake Peavy. Although he's been injured for most of the year, he agreed to waive his no-trade clause (finally) and take a shot with an AL team. Too bad it's our bitter rival. I guess the trade is pending Peavy passing a physical. He's been out with a bum ankle, but you can expect his arm needs some stretching out by now too.

The Washburn move was our only move before the deadline, so our offense is going to have to come to life in order to hang onto first place. The Twins went and got Orlando Cabrera to liven up their middle-infield, so all three AL Central contenders made moves to go for the division. With the Red Sox picking up Victor Martinez and having a strangle-hold on the Wild Card, two of these teams will have made a mistake in trading away prospects this season. However, Chicago will have Peavy under contract for a few more years, so his acquisition is less likely to bite them in the rear later (although they gave up a ton of young, quality pitching prospects to get him).

[Bobby_Ayala]

Good deal for Seattle. French is basically a younger, cheaper version of Washburn, who will be under club control for another 6 years! Zduriencik knows what he's doing.
That said, I wish Washburn well in Detroit.

[Inge15]

I think it was a fair deal. Detroit got what they wanted, which was a veteran, experienced lefty starter and Seattle got 2 talented pitchers. Fair deal.

[tigers527]

Call me in 2 months, and about 4 days, then I will know if we got a good deal. PLAYOFFS or BUST!!!

And that might not even be Washburn's fault, where's the offense?

[The Korean]

Luke French? I thought he was going to be a good pitcher for the Tigers.

[Seattle1]

I hate this deal! I like Washburn!

:hissyfit:

[sturg1dj]

Luke French? I thought he was going to be a good pitcher for the Tigers.

i thought French was being overrated. I feel like the deal was a complete steal.

[slugger33]

i thought French was being overrated. I feel like the deal was a complete steal.
I agree. Luke French was an average minor league player. He was 35-43 with a 3.88 ERA and a 1.388 WHIP in 675 minor league innings. Robles has potential, but his talent is so raw that it seems like a long shot that he will be an above average MLB pitcher.

[moldyoldie]

Washburn's shown nothing in his two starts for the Tigers that would lead one to believe he can be dominant. Command is off, but it's probably still too early to assess the trade properly. In my book, it's three strikes and you're out, uh, I mean critically chastised.

[sturg1dj]

Washburn's shown nothing in his two starts for the Tigers that would lead one to believe he can be dominant. Command is off, but it's probably still too early to assess the trade properly. In my book, it's three strikes and you're out, uh, I mean critically chastised.

the one thing he has shown that the other #5's he replaced did not is that he can eat innings. If nothing else, that is an important trait to possess.


Having him round out the rotation is better than some new call-up going 5 innings every 5 days.

[Trickyhop]

Something I've noticed being reported by those traded all around the league is the nervousness, especially within pitchers. French struggled at KC in his first start, but ended up with the win, and admitted to nervousness with his first start with the new club. I'm guessing Washburn is feeling the same thing. This is for sure a measure of mental toughness, and perhaps a preview of how these guys will perform in the playoffs if they ever make it. Washburn does have playoff experience, we'll just have to see how he fairs his next start. French has his first Safeco start tonight, and I don't have any notion that it will be fantastic, but I of course hope it will be.

[tigers527]

Something I've noticed being reported by those traded all around the league is the nervousness, especially within pitchers. French struggled at KC in his first start, but ended up with the win, and admitted to nervousness with his first start with the new club. I'm guessing Washburn is feeling the same thing. This is for sure a measure of mental toughness, and perhaps a preview of how these guys will perform in the playoffs if they ever make it. Washburn does have playoff experience, we'll just have to see how he fairs his next start. French has his first Safeco start tonight, and I don't have any notion that it will be fantastic, but I of course hope it will be.

I will be rooting along with you, considering that he's starting against the WhiteSox, and the Tigers are stuck in Boston, and Boston is pissed.

[DClutch]

Washburn and Laird are still learning each other.

Lets not foget that Washburn wasnt that bad Sunday. He easily could have gone 7 with 3 earned, but in the 6th, Redmond started a 2 out rally with a broken bat blooper, followed by an error (which wasnt counted as one btw,) by Thomas which allowed 2 runs to score. He has looked very good during stretches. I'll give him the benefit of the doubt.

He'll get better with time.

[moldyoldie]

Washburn's shown nothing in his two starts for the Tigers that would lead one to believe he can be dominant. Command is off, but it's probably still too early to assess the trade properly. In my book, it's three strikes and you're out, uh, I mean critically chastised.
Third time's the charm. :thumbsup: Masterful pitching last night from both starters (Washburn and K.C.'s Greinke), topped off by the best of all possible endings.

[longtimelasportsfan]

I see where recent Seattle Mariners (and former Angels) pitcher Jarrod Washburn is now with the Tigers. I am just currious if he is any relation to a former player who spent most of his career with the Cardinals and his last season with the Reds named Ray Washburn who was also a pitcher.

[Captain Cold Nose]

I see where recent Seattle Mariners (and former Angels) pitcher Jarrod Washburn is now with the Tigers. I am just currious if he is any relation to a former player who spent most of his career with the Cardinals and his last season with the Reds named Ray Washburn who was also a pitcher.

A quick google search showed nothing linking them. Neither is mentioned on the other's wikipedia page, which doesn't necessarily prove anything.

[moldyoldie]

This trade is shaping up to be a major bust for the Tigers. :dismay: Any comparisons between Washburn and Doyle Alexander are hereby deemed ridiculous.

If Robles ends up being another Smoltz....:hissyfit: