Jarrod Washburn's time as a Tiger should officially come to an end soon.

After coming to Detroit at the July 31 trade deadline after four months of pretty successful baseball, he did little in a Tigers uniform (7.33 ERA, much gnashing of teeth from the fans) and eventually saw his season come to a close in mid-September. His season ended early due to a knee injury, one that the Tigers knew about and were not concerned over.

Washburn spoke to MLB.com's Jim Street, the Mariners beat writer, about his plans for the future.

Washburn on being traded:

"Going to a first-place team was nice, but I was leaving a group of players that I loved. It was both good and bad."

Washburn on his time in Detroit:

"The knee limited me to what I could do [for the Tigers]. I was doing everything possible to figure out a way to get through it, but unfortunately it never happened. But they were very understanding and helpful."

Washburn on his next contract:

"Seattle definitely is toward the top of my list [for 2010.] I'll just have to see what happens when the free-agent season begins."

He cites the Seattle coaching staff and team as being fun in 2009, and making him want to continue playing professionally. I wonder if the move to Detroit bothered more than his knee, though you do expect professional players are used to baseball being a business.

But I do think it's safe to say Washburn will be playing in a uniform other than Detroit's next year. They already have their hands full of pitchers coming off injuries. Offering him arbitration would be too risky. It's unlikely he'd accept the offer, but you don't want to take that risk.