Detroit Tigers Trade With Seattle Mariners for Pitchers Doug Fister, David Pauley

Looking to separate themselves even more in the heavily congested AL Central race, the Detroit Tigers picked up some help on Saturday, acquiring pitchers Doug Fister and David Pauley from the Seattle Mariners, according to MLB.com.

Seattle, meanwhile, will receive four players in return, headlined by lefty starter Charlie Furbush and 26-year-old outfielder Casper Wells.

The M's will also get infielder Francisco Martinez and a player to be named later — which, according to a tweet by ESPN's Shannon Dryer, will be one of Detroit's top three picks from the 2010 draft.

The Tigers, who enter Saturday with 2 1/2-game lead over second-place Cleveland, were in desperate need of a fifth starter, a void that Fister should be able to fill. Despite a 3-12 record, the right-hander sports a 3.33 ERA in 21 starts in 2011.

He will slot in behind Justin Verlander, Rick Porcello, Max Scherzer and Brad Penny to help round out the Tigers rotation for the stretch run.