A’s Trade Brad Ziegler to Arizona for Brandon Allen

The Arizona Diamondbacks acquired the reliever they’ve been looking for, but had to give up their young first baseman to do so.  Oakland sent Brad Ziegler to Arizona for Brandon Allen and reliever Jordan Norberto.

Arizona has been known to be looking for bullpen help this summer and was ultimately able to add a solid arm in Ziegler.

On the year, the right hander has an ERA of 2.39 with a 1.35 WHIP.  Ziegler’s been a mainstay in Oakland’s pen over his 4 seasons in the majors as the 31 year old has a career earned run average of 2.49 with 19 saves and 46 holds.

But to bring in the reliever, the Diamondbacks had to surrender their young first basemen Allen.  The 25 year old came over to Arizona from the White Sox in July of 2009 and has been with the Diamondbacks for 11 games this season.  Though he’s only hit .172, Allen has an OPS of .834 with 3 home runs, 7 RBI’s and 7 walks over his 37 plate appearances.

Allen spent most of the year in Triple-A, where he hit at a clip of .306/.427/.579 with 18 home runs and 66 RBI’s.

Norberto, the other piece heading to Oakland, has pitched out of the pen for the Diamondback’s Triple-A squad this year.  Over his 41 appearances, the 24 year old has a 4.25 ERA with 54 strike outs in 48.2 innings.  The lefty has a career 4.39 earned run average over his 6 seasons in the minors.

For more on the Diamondbacks and Athletics, be sure to check out Venom Strikes and Swingin’ A’s.