The Tigers and White Sox began Friday second and third, respectively, in the American League in team ERA -- and traded for pitchers on deadline day.

The Twins were in the top half of the AL in runs scored -- at least 30 runs more than Detroit or Chicago -- and traded for offense.

May the team that made the best deadline-day move win.

The Twins, White Sox and Tigers brought the AL Central to center stage Friday with moves to improve their playoff chances. The Tigers traded for Seattle lefthander Jarrod Washburn, who brings a 8-6 record and 2.64 ERA to the division. With All-Star righthanders Edwin Jackson (2.64) and Justin Verlander (3.16), Detroit has three starters among the top seven in ERA in the league.

Chicago sent four pitching prospects to San Diego for ace Jake Peavy, who is currently on the disabled list because of a torn tendon in his right ankle. He's on a path to return to action by early September -- in time for the stretch drive.

While Detroit and Chicago tried to M&M-proof their rotations, the Twins tried to fill their middle-infield hole by trading infield prospect Tyler Ladendorf to Oakland for shortstop Orlando Cabrera, who has 31 postseason games and one World Series title on his résumé.

"It seems like they were working hard upstairs," Twins closer Joe Nathan said of the front office, "and we'll see in October if it works out for us."

Cabrera is batting .280 with four homers and 41 RBI. He has hit .338 since June 4 and hit .373 in July. The Twins need his hot bat and experience to push them past first-place Detroit.

"Hopefully he's excited to come here and be part of the pennant race," Twins first baseman Justin Morneau said of Cabrera. "He's a guy with playoff experience, and he's a guy hopefully who can help us."

The Twins also will receive $500,000 from the Athletics -- $250,000 now and $250,000 at a later date.

Ladendorf was a second-round pick in 2008 whom the Twins signed for a $673,000 bonus. He batted .410 in 17 games at rookie league Elizabethton before being promoted to Class A Beloit, where he hit .233 in 15 games.

The Twins balked on Thursday when Oakland first requested Ladendorf, but eventually changed their minds.

Cabrera was one of several players the Twins inquired about before the deadline.

They offered two prospects to Seattle for Washburn after some discussions centered around lefthander Glen Perkins. But Detroit swooped in and got Washburn for lefthander Luke French and minor league lefty Mauricio Robles.

The Twins pushed for relief pitching but found the price too steep. Teams requested top prospects in outfielder Ben Revere, catcher Wilson Ramos and third baseman Danny Valencia, but the Twins elected to hold onto them.

San Diego wanted four top prospects from the Twins for reliever Heath Bell. Oakland wanted a couple of top prospects for reliever Michael Wuertz.

The Twins also spoke with Arizona about reliever Jon Rauch, but talks didn't get far. They made some progress on a deal for San Diego righthander Kevin Correia, who could have been a starter or reliever, but that fell through. They also engaged the Orioles about lefthander George Sherrill before he was dealt to the Dodgers. Any trade between now and Aug. 31 must come after players clear waivers.

"It was a tough market for relievers," Twins General Manager Bill Smith said. "There were a lot of conversations. In the end would couldn't get it done."

So the Twins will take on their division challengers with Cabrera, who was courted by Joe Mauer and Morneau when the teams faced each other in Oakland nearly two weeks ago.

"Who doesn't like M&M's?" Cabrera said of the Twins' stars during a teleconference Friday.

Well, the White Sox and Tigers don't. And it will be up to Cabrera to help make sure they never do.