Would Act 2 go better?

Ahhhhh The Jarrod Washburn Trade. Hopes so high....hope then struck down in ignominious fashion.

I had campaigned long and hard for the Tigers to make a move on a starting pitcher last summer. Many fans wanted a bat....and that was a legitimate argument, but I felt the Tigers' rotation needed a boost in order to go the distance. So, while Washburn wasn't at the top of my wish list, he was up there and I fully supported that trade. Well.....right moves go wrong on occasion. Washburn's knee flaired up, he probably missed the amazing defensive support he was getting in Seattle, and he had a run of gopherball-itis that led to zero contribution from the move. In the end the Tigers were short on starting pitching down the stretch....I think the concept of the trade was proven correct because they needed another starter to contribute in September. However good concepts don't lead to playoff berths all the time.

But now its Spring Training 2010 and the back end of the Tigers rotation looks a little tattered (to be kind). Washburn's knee has had time to heal. He turned down a $5M deal from the Twins in January. That was probably a mistake by him. I would bet he'll be lucky to score half of that deal now plus incentives. Should the Tigers get in touch with him if their rotation continues to struggle though the Grapefruit League?

I have my doubts a DET/Washburn marriage will happen again. I think the Tigers will give their in-house options more rope throughout the Spring and perhaps well into April. Washburn, Braden Looper, and a few others are still lingering out there and I think someone will still be scrounging for a gig just prior to Opening Day. Also, Washburn may want no part of a return to the Tigers. We'll just have to see how it works out.

The best thing would be for Jeremy Bonderman to find his groove, and either Nate Robertson or Dontrelle Willis to regain their mojo. I just hate to put eggs in that basket. If the Tigers brought back Washburn and he pitches within some fashion of his stellar first half of '09, it would be money well spent. The deal will be short and cheap....the best kind for vets like him. (I'll give it a 3% chance of happening!)