Major League Baseball

Tigers get Huff from O's, give up Jacobson

Published Aug. 18, 2009 2:04 a.m. ET

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The Tigers acquired Aubrey Huff from the Orioles for right-handed pitcher Brett Jacobson on Monday, adding a needed veteran left-handed bat at the expense of a hard-throwing reliever.

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Detroit had been looking for offense since prior to the July 31 non-waiver trade deadline. It's easier for the Tigers to add Huff now that Carlos Guillen, who had been their designated hitter against right-handed pitching, is capable of playing in the field.

"I've been in last place basically my whole career, so this is an exciting time for me," Huff said. "I'm looking forward to it."

Huff batted .253 with 13 home runs and 72 RBIs in 110 games for Baltimore this season.
Huff has spent most of the year at first base, with some time at DH; he can also play third base and left field.

Tigers president/general manager Dave Dombrowski said Huff's ability to play multiple positions was a key factor in the decision. Huff is expected to join Detroit's everyday lineup, at least against right-handed pitching.

The Orioles had made Huff available prior to July 31 but weren't able to consummate a deal.

"I didn't really expect anything," Huff said. "I cleared waivers and there wasn't a lot of interest I'd heard of. So this one kind of hit me out of left field."

Huff said he was sad to leave an Orioles team finally reaping the benefits of rebuilding through youth. His departure will enable Luke Scott, a left-handed power threat, to get more at-bats at first base. Outfielder Felix Pie, 24, also figures to get more playing time now that Huff is gone.

"This is probably the best young talent I've been around and I've been around some young talent. ... You got an All-Star in Adam Jones, and a superstar in Nick Markakis that nobody knows about," he said. "(Brian) Matusz, (Chris) Tillman, all these young guys coming up. It's a very exciting time here and Baltimore should have a lot to look forward to."

Detroit had some level of interest in Toronto's Lyle Overbay prior to acquiring Huff.

Jacobson appeared in 35 games with Class A Lakeland this season, posting a 1-3 record, 3.74 ERA, six saves and 44 strikeouts. The Tigers used their first four picks in last year's draft to select hard-throwing relievers; Jacobson went in the fourth round. Dombrowski acknowledged that relief pitching is "the deepest spot in our organization."

Jacobson, who played with David Price and Pedro Alvarez at Vanderbilt, has reached 96 mph with his fastball.

FOXSports.com senior baseball writer Ken Rosenthal contributed to this report. Information from The Associated Press also was used.

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