"The Nationals cut ties with one-time top prospect Collin Balester today, dealing him to the Detroit Tigers for reliever Ryan Perry, a 2008 first-round choice who threw 37 innings in 36 games last season, compiling a 5.35 ERA with 24 strikeouts and 21 walks.

Balester shuttled between the majors and Class AAA Syracuse last season and had a 4.54 ERA in 35 2/3 major league innings, primarily as a long reliever. The Nationals were motivated to move Balester because he has run out of minor league options, while Perry still has one remaining. Essentially, they can do with Perry what they did with Balester last year – toggle him up and down for roster management purposes without the threat of losing him.

Early in his career, the Nationals, and the rest of baseball, anticipated far greater things from Balester. In 2004, the year before they moved to Washington and became the Nationals, the Montreal Expos drafted him in the fourth round. By 2007, Baseball America named Balester, armed with a tall, pitcher's frame and a 95-mph fastball, the best prospect in the organization. "