Stephen Drew Acquired by Oakland Athletics

Late Monday night, the Oakland Athletics acquired shortstop Stephen Drew from the Arizona Diamondbacks. Arizona will get minor league infielder Sean Jamieson in return, this according to Scott Miller of CBS.

Oakland had been in the market for infield help before the non-waiver trade deadline and their targets reportedly included Drew, but the two sides couldn’t come to an agreement before the deadline passed. The hangup at that time was believed to be Arizona’s asking price. Now three weeks later, Oakland had to only surrender a single middling prospect to get a player they feel will help them reach the post-season.

From an Arizona perspective, dealing Drew cost them little in terms of their major league roster. Drew missed the bulk of the season while recovering from a leg injury and has been slow to come around at the plate in the 40 games he has seen action in. In 155 plate appearances, Drew has posted a .193 average and .601 OPS. Meanwhile, Willie Bloomquist has sparkled as Drew’s replacement.

Oakland is hoping that Drew’s first tour of duty in the American League will bring back the hitter he was in years past. Coming into the 2012 season, Drew had accumulated more than 3000 plate appearances and posted a very respectable .270/.330/.442/.773 line. Drew figures to immediately take over the regular shortstop duties in Oakland, where Cliff Pennington has been dismal at the dish. Oakland assumes Drew’s entire contract, worth roughly $3 million for the rest of the season and includes a mutual option worth $10 for 2013. Oakland could instead opt for a $1.35 million buyout. Either way, it’s nice to see the A’s be willing to spend some money to fortify their position in the pennant race.

On what Arizona gets in return, Kevin Goldstein chimed in as such:

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