Washington Nationals Trade Collin Balester To Detroit For Tigers' '08 1st Round Pick Ryan Perry.

FOXSports.com's Jon Morosi (@JonMorosi) wrote on Twitter just moments ago that Washington and Detroit had swapped relievers with 25-year-old '04 Expos' 4th Round pick RHP Collin Balester sent to the AL Central's Tigers in exchange for 24-year-old '08 1st Round pick Ryan Perry. The Nationals confirmed the deal on their official Twitter just moments later (@NationalsPR). Perry, a 6'4'', 200lb right-hander drafted out of the University of Arizona, has a 4.07 ERA, 4.28 FIP, 82 walks (4.57 BB/9) and 129 K's (7.20 K/9) in 149 games and 161.1 IP over three seasons in Detroit. Balester, who transitioned to the pen in 2010 after 22 starts in the Majors, was (5-16) with a 5.17 ERA, 5.29 FIP, 67 walks (3.61 BB/9) and 132 K's (7.11 K/9) in 62 games and 167.0 IP for the Nationals.

In a press release, the Nationals pointed to Perry's ability to keep " the ball on the ground" (52.1% ground-ball %), 7.20 K/9 and the fact that he allowed just one home run in 37.0 IP last season. In a Tigers' press release quoted on the SB Nation's Tigers site (Bless You Boys), Detroit GM Tigers GM Dave Dombrowski explained the trade from the Tigers' perspective by writing that, "Acquiring Collin Balester from the Nationals today adds another good arm to our organization. He has shown the ability to pitch multiple innings out of the bullpen in the past, a role we are looking for him to fill for our club in 2012."

• We talked to Collin Balester a few times over the years:

• Washington Nationals: Collin Balester Interview. Pt. 1 of 2. (12/10).

• Washington Nationals: Collin Balester Interview. Pt. 2 of 2 (12/10).

• Washington Nationals: 5 Minutes With Nats' Reliever Collin Balester.