A’s Trade Trevor Cahill to the Diamondbacks for Jarrod Parker
By Editorial Staff
In a trade that quickly developed before our eyes, the A’s shipped pitchers Trevor Cahill, Craig Breslow and cash to the Diamondbacks for top pitching prospect Jarrod Parker, reliever Ryan Cook and outfielder Collin Cowgill.
This offseason, the A’s made it known that they were shopping several of their young high-profile players. While most rumors swirled around Gio Gonzalez and Andrew Bailey, it came out recently that Oakland was also discussing Cahill with teams.
Thursday the Diamondbacks expressed interest in Gonzalez and Cahill and talks quickly developed yesterday. Even though A’s general manager Billy Beane made it known that his top young talent was available, he also made it clear that it would take top return to land them in a trade.
So what kind of return did Beane fetch for Cahill?
The A’s were able to bring in one of the game’s top young arms in Jarrod Parker. Entering last season, Parker was listed as the 33rd best prospect in MLB according to Baseball Prospectus. Parker did little to hurt his standing in the eyes of analysts, turning in an ERA of 3.79 over his 130 2/3 innings.
Parker’s performance earned him a late-season call up and a single major league start. Parker also made an appearance during Arizona’s first round playoff series against the Brewers.
Along with Parker, Oakland pulled in outfielder Collin Cowgill and right-hander Ryan Cook. Cowgill would seem to fit the mold of athletic outfielder that Beane coveted this winter. The 25-year-old hit at a clip of .354/.430/.554 over his 98 games with the Diamondbacks Triple-A affiliate. Over that span Cowgill tallied 45 extra base hits, 95 runs scored, 70 RBI’s and 30 stolen bases. Cowgill spent most of his games in center field last season.
Arizona converted Cook into a reliever last season. The 24-year-old responded with 61 innings and a 2.21 ERA. Pitching in relief, Cook maintained a WHIP of 1.033 with 3.2 BB/9 and 9.1 SO/9.
The Diamondbacks also received left-handed reliever Craig Breslow in the deal. Over his six years in the majors, Breslow has maintained an ERA and WHIP of 3.06 and 1.247 with a SO/9 of 7.6 and a BB/9 of 3.8.
For more on the Diamondbacks and Athletics, be sure to check out Venom Strikes and Swingin’ A’s.