Left out

The Tigers traded lefty reliever/starter Wil Ledezma to the Braves for lefty reliever Macay McBride today. The move is billed as giving Detroit flexibility as Kenny Rogers and Nate Robertson get ready to return to the staff because Ledezma is out of options and McBride is not.

I hate to see Wil go, but this deal seems to make some sense for the Tigers, although given the bullpen woes, I’m not sure about McBride’s future. It seems he could help now, rather than be sent to the minors.

McBride, a 24-year-old former No. 1 draft pick, is great against left-handed hitters, holding them to a .176 BA and giving up 2 HR. His WHIP is 0.93 vs. lefties. He was 6-1 with 2 saves and a 3.99 ERA in 112 career games for the Braves, all in relief. He reportedly struggled with his control earlier this season and was sent to the minors for a stint.

Lefties hit .293 with 8 HR off Ledezma, who is 26. Ledezma was 15-18 with a 5.15 ERA in 106 games, 33 starts, for Detroit.

"We could do nothing with Wil," Tigers manager Jim Leyland said. "We wish we could have sent him out and started him. It was just one of those deals. He's been very good on some occasions and just OK on others, but there's a lot of potential there."