Tigers acquire Washburn from Mariners

7/31/2009
ASSOCIATED PRESS

SEATTLE The Seattle Mariners have traded starting pitcher Jarrod Washburn to the Detroit Tigers for left-hander Luke French and a minor-league pitcher.

The Mariners announced the long-awaited deal Friday morning, hours before baseball s non-waiver trading deadline.

Washburn has been one of baseball s most effective starters recently. He is 8-6 with a 2.64 ERA.

The 34-year-old is in the final months of a $37.5 million, four-year contract.

After surprising Seattle fell back in the AL West race this week, the Mariners intensified efforts to trade their most attractive commodity a veteran left-handed starter who has won a World Series, with Anaheim in 2002.

The 23-year-old French is 1-2 with a 3.38 ERA in seven games, five starts, for Detroit this season. He s also made 13 starts at Triple-A.

Seattle also gets Class-A left-hander pitcher Mauricio Robles