 | Tigers trade Robertson to Marlins; Willis wins rotation spot |
 Si is reporting The Florida Marlins acquired left-hander Nate Robertson from the Detroit Tigers for left-hander Jay Voss on Tuesday.
The trade enables Robertson to start with the Marlins and assures left-hander Dontrelle Willis a spot in the Detroit rotation. Robertson started six games and also spent time in the bullpen for the Tigers last season, finishing 2-3 with a 5.44 ERA in 28 appearances.
Detroit manager Jim Leyland said Willis would take the No. 3 spot in the rotation. Leyland figured Robertson did not want to be a reliever with the Tigers.
"He probably would have not been a happy camper if it would have worked out that he was in the bullpen," Leyland said. "He's been nothing but a good soldier here over the years. We appreciate everything he's done for us. I think this is a great opportunity for him and it unclogs the issue for us a little bit."
Robertson joins a Florida rotation that includes right-handers Josh Johnson, Ricky Nolasco, Anibal Sanchez and Chris Volstad.
"He is a left-hander, which is something we didn't have in the rotation," Florida baseball operations president Larry Beinfest said "And he brings experience, which is something we're light on also."
Right-hander Clay Hensley, who had been expected to join the Florida rotation after a strong spring, will instead likely pitch out of the bullpen.
Detroit is sending Florida cash as part of the deal for Robertson, who is owed $10 million this year in the final season of a $21.25 million, three-year deal. The Tigers will pay nearly all of his salary.
Read More: http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2010/baseball/mlb/03/30/tigers.willis/index.html#ixzz0jl5bpVk4
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