The A's acquired Conor Jackson from the D'Backs for righty Sam Demel, according to Steve Gilbert of MLB.com (Twitter link). The A's note that they are receiving cash to cover part of Jackson's $3.1MM salary (Twitter link). ESPN.com's Buster Olney hears that the D'Backs will cover about $400K of the remaining $1.85MM (Twitter link).
Jackson, 28, is hitting .238/.326/.331 in 172 plate appearances this year. He missed most of last season with Valley Fever and has had some hamstring problems in 2010. Jackson has spent most of the season in left field, though he has considerable experience as a first baseman, too.
Despite Jackson's slow start at the plate and history as an average defender, the A's weren't the only interested team. The Rangers were also exploring a deal for Jackson, who will be a non-tender candidate after the season.
D'Backs GM Josh Byrnes says the club acquired Demel since he's "another quality arm in [the team's] attempt to improve the bullpen." The 24-year-old righty has pitched well at Triple A this year. Demel has a 1.26 ERA in 28.2 innings, with 8.8 K/9 and 2.8 BB/9. It's the best season the 2007 third rounder has had as a pro. Demel was not ranked among Oakland's top 30 prospects by Baseball America before the season, but the D'Backs (7.33 bullpen ERA) need relievers badly.
Arizona is considering major moves and one executive tells Jon Heyman of SI.com that the club is ready to "blow things up" (Twitter link).
Not too sure how i feel about this. I guess it’s good to have a backup plan, but he is not the bat we need. so now we have sweeney, crisp, davis, gross, jackson, looks like buck isn’t getting back in the lineup when he’s off the DL.
I dont see Travis Buck ever playing in the bigs again. 2007 was a longggg time ago now.
I think they might put Jackson at first base because they did DFA fox.
And what of Daric Barton? Co-Jack might have more pop, but I can’t see him topping Barton’s .281 average and .394 OBP.
Jake Fox did not play 1 inning at first base for the Oakland A’s. We all have access to baseball-reference and fangraphs, please use them.
Yes. I am aware there are reference guides, and besides he plays first base, too bad the A’s didn’t use him there.
I understand how the Dbacks are desperate for bullpen help, but I’m not sure why the As believe they need another OF. They have amazing OF defense and Barton is having a good year. Where/when do you play Jackson?
The A’s OF consists of the MIA Coco Crisp, the struggling Rajai Davis (back from injury as well), Ryan Sweeney, and the combo of Gabe Gross and Eric Patterson, of which Gross can field but not hit, and Patterson can’t do either, not to mention Jack Cust. Also, if you notice, 4 of those guys (Gross, Patterson, Sweeney, Cust) are Left Handed, and Coco Crisp is MIA. If there was one thing that the A’s could very well use, it was a right handed bat, and the only place to put him would be in the OF.
Demel has always been a gem in the A’s minors as a future closer. A very quality arm, and I am somewhat sad to see him go. He could very well be the next Andrew Bailey, but the A’s already have him.
We have had 2 trades now and they both involve he d-backs
I will miss you Conor, but I will miss your eyebrows even more.
Looks like Beane’s just grabbing some depth for the start of another busy trade season.
Is Demel any good and not given a chance or is he just a triple AAA guy?
We’ll take Leake for heiman, lol jk.
When healthy, co-Jack is pretty solid. Expect a ceiling of .295 16 HRs & 75 RBIs.
Slightly above avg defense. Arm is below avg.
Can play 1B though. And has good plate discipline.
Fair trade for both sides.
I’m stoked we got Demel. His AA & AAA stats look impressive
with the d-bax having worst bullpen of all-time, Demel will look like Mariano Rivera for them.
Will Demel join the D-Backs? He should be ready… 24 years old, solid numbers at AAA.
The Chronicle is reporting that he will report directly to the diamondbacks, but not sure how accurate that is. seems like he is ready to go, a’s could have used him in our bullpen a couple of separate times this season
A mediocre corner defender with very modest power, who’s frequently disappointed after being highly touted as a prospect. Don’t they already have Daric Barton for that?
I can’t say I’ve seen Barton play or anything but the kid isn’t even 25 yet and from what I saw in his numbers he has potential. ’08 was mediocre, ’09 was solid with a low BA, but a good OBP, and so far this year his OBP is .394. UZR says his defense has been good, but you are right about the modest power.
UZR doesn’t work on first basemen. Barton’s looking a lot more useful than Jackson these days, but that only furthers my point about acquiring him.
I do not like this trade at all. Jackson is going from the one of the most hitter-friendly parks in the NL to one of the most pitcher-friendly parks in the AL. I really dont see him having an OPS over 725 for the A’s.
I hope this is just a precursor move for another busy trade deadline.
Pretty sure when the Braves were looking to trade Teixeira that the Dbacks didnt want to include Jackson in the deal.
http://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2008/07/dbacks-deep-in.html
Wow. I just read where it says the Braves could’ve had Kendry Morales over Kotchman.. What could’ve been..
Yeah that’s because he was hitting .330 and the dbacks 2nd best hitter behind Drew in 2008. Dbacks also wanted Jair Jurrjens for Jackson I think.
anyone is better than Jake Fox. He will play a similar to Fox (pinch hitting roles, playing when a right handed bat is needed) then we may flip him in a deal later this year
a start in the right directions…