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| Tigers land Washburn
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Tigers acquire RHP Jarrod Washburn from the Mariners in exchange for LHP Luke French and LHP Mauricio Robles.
Can't blame the Mariners for this one. Realize that they gave up a 35-year-old southpaw with a 4.02 career ERA and 43.6% career flyball rate. He benefited greatly with the best outfield defense in the sport this season (+14.1 UZR/150), putting up a 2.64 ERA, 1.07 WHIP and 79/33 K/BB ratio in 133 innings. A quick look at his FIP (3.75) and BABIP (.249 as opposed to a .280 career average) tell you that he was getting more than a bit lucky this season.
Still, he's a solid veteran who throws strikes and he should hold down the back of the Tigers rotation. While I expect him to fall off a bit, Comerica Park is pretty spacious too, and their outfield defense isn't that bad either.
This isn't a great return for the Mariners, but the move made sense considering Washburn was going to leave as a free agent, anyway. Interestingly, French, who had a 3.38 ERA and 1.50 WHIP in seven games (five starts) with the Tigers this season, has a 50% flyball rate in the majors thus far, and a 39.7% flyball rate in parts of four seasons in the minors. While he may have some trouble sticking as a starter in the majors, he could have landed in a far worse situation. As for Robles, he is just 20 years old, but boasts a 111/41 K/BB ratio in 91 1/3 innings pitched between Single-A West Michigan and High-A Lakeland this season.
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Yes it is. *crosses arms*
I like Wash fine, but he's pitching way above his head and having French for five years is faaaaantastic.
I would have been happy with French straight up - adding Robles is cake.
I know Washburn sucks, but with the season he's had, you'd think they could get something somewhat substantial from someone for him. Eff, I would rather they had hung onto him. God, I hope Z knows what he's doing.
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Neyer thinks it's good.
Hanging onto him had a lot of downsides unless you think we should have loaded up to make a run this year.
I think it's a good trade for both teams, by the way. Just slightly tilted Mariners.
Wish as you might, this is not the M's year. They made a solid move for the future because they would have lost him next year anyway. They do have some strong young arms, they need some bats.
After the Wilson deal, really all we need is a league-average DH and catcher if we keep him around, which most expect us to.
Although Beltre's status is unknown.