HOUSTON, Dec. 10 -- The Houston Astros have completed a nine- player trade with the Detroit Tigers. The Astros sent pitcher Todd Jones and Doug Brocail, shortstop Orlando Miller and outfielder Brian Hunter to the Tigers for pitchers Trever Miller, C.J. Nitkowski and Jose Lima, catcher Brad Ausmus and infielder Daryle Ward.
Detroit will also receive a player to be named or cash considerations. Jones has spent time as Houston's closer in each of the last two seasons, but bouts of ineffectiveness and injuries have not let him secure the job from John Hudek and Billy Wagner. The 28-year-old right- hander was 6-3 and set career highs with 17 saves and a 4.40 ERA. In four seasons, all with Houston, Jones is 18-12 with a 3.27 ERA. The Tigers were looking for a shortstop to replace the retired Alan Trammell and have found one in Orlando Miller, who is coming off his first full season as Houston's everyday player at the position. Miller played in 139 games and batted .256 with 15 homers and 58 RBI and is a career .262 hitter with 22 homers and 103 RBI. The acquisition of Miller means that Travis Fryman can remain at third base. The 28-year-old Ausmus is known more for his defense than his offense and was likely dealt because the Tigers want highly-regarded switch- hitter Raul Casanova to have a chance behind the plate. Ausmus, who came over from San Diego in a multi-player trade last season, batted a combined .221 with five homers and 35 RBI in 125 games. He hit .181 with the Padres in 50 games and batted .248 for Detroit in 75 contests. Ausmus is a career .254 hitter with 22 homers in 378 games.
