At the time, not long before the trade deadline in 2009, it seemed like the perfect move. The Tigers were in first place in the American League Central. They were in need of another quality starting pitcher. Jarrod Washburn, a veteran left-hander with pennant race and postseason experience, was having one of his best seasons and was available.
So Tigers general manager Dave Dombrowski pulled the trigger on a trade that brought Washburn to the Tigers from the Seattle Mariners. In return, the Tigers sent soft-tossing left-hander Luke French and hard-throwing, but low-level minor league left-hander Mauricio Robles to the Mariners.
French is a classic 4-A left-hander (9-12, 4.99 ERA in the major leagues). It's Robles who may come back and haunt the Tigers.
He will turn 22 this weekend and had a big advancement year in 2010 in the Mariners' organization. He evnetually made five starts for Triple-A Tacoma last season, going 3-1. He throws in the mid-90s, and while there are still command issues, he is a top fight prospect who has struck out 481 hitters in 442 minor league innings. Baseball America recently rated him Seattle's 6th best prospect.
Washburn? He went 1-3 with a 7.33 ERA for the Tigers. He hasn't pitched since and has, at various times, said he is retired as a player.