from freep.com

The Tigers have struck big in the hours before today's trading deadline, acquiring veteran left-handed starter Jarrod Washburn from Seattle for left-hander Luke French and a minor leaguer.

Washburn has been on a tremendous hot streak the last two months that includes a 2-1 win last week at Comerica Park.
Washburn gives the Tigers something they have lacked: a veteran left-handed starter. Such a pitcher is especially valuable at Comerica Park, with its big expanse of left-center that makes power-hitting more difficult for all the right-handed hitters who tend to play against left-handed pitching.
The Tigers had three left-handed starters at the opening of last season: Kenny Rogers, Dontrelle Willis and Nate Robertson. Rogers didn't return this season; Willis is on the disabled list; Robertson went to the bullpen, then the disabled list. French had replaced Willis and was the lone lefty in the rotation.
Washburn can be a free agent after this season. So the Tigers have obtained him with the express interest of retaining first place and winning the A.L. Central this season.
The minor leaguer whom the Tigers gave up in the deal is Class-A pitcher Mauricio Robles, a left-handed starter.
Washburn is scheduled to make his Tigers debut on Tuesday night against Baltimore at Comerica Park.
“We are excited to add an established starter the caliber of Jarrod Washburn to our club,” Tigers president and general manager Dave Dombrowski said in a statement. “Washburn is having a tremendous season and he has been a quality major league starter throughout his career.”
Washburn has an 8-6 record with a 2.64 ERA this season. As with Tigers right-hander Edwin Jackson, whose record is also two games above .500, Washburn has pitched far better than his win total would indicate.
Jackson and Washburn have the two lowest batting-averages-against of any A.L. starters. Hitters are batting .216 off Jackson this season and .223 off Washburn.
Washburn is third in the league with a 2.64 ERA, trailing Kansas City's Zack Greinke and Jackson. He's just ahead of Toronto's Roy Halladay, by far the leader in trade speculation this season. With only hours to go until the 4 p.m. trade deadline, Halladay remained with Toronto.
Washburn, who turns 35 in two weeks, has been inconsistent for much of his four years with Seattle. But in the last two months, he has gone on a tremendous streak.
In his last 12 starts, starting in late May, Washburn has a 1.87 ERA.
Washburn is tied for third in the league in quality starts with 15. Another pitcher in that group at 15 quality starts is Justin Verlander.