Trevor Cahill to the Arizona Diamondbacks

The Arizona Diamondbacks for a sniff of success in 2011, and are looking for more. Late Friday night word came out that Oakland would trade starting pitcher Trevor Cahill and relief pitcher Craig Breslow to the Diamondbacks for three prospects. The package from Arizona is centered around Jarrod Parker, but also includes Collin Cowgill and Ryan Cook. 

Cahill will join talented young starters Ian Kennedy and Daniel Hudson as the Diamondbacks will look for the second straight N.L. West title next season. Cahill, only 23, is an extreme ground ball pitcher, who still needs to tap into his strikeout potential a little to become a top of the rotation option. The switch in leagues should help his numbers, and the move from the Oakland Coliseum to Chase Field shouldn't affect his too adversely, as his ground ball profile should translate. He's has a very club friendly contract, which is almost Andrew Friedman-ian in it's terms. Cahill is locked up through 2015, with team options for 2016 and 2017. 

Craig Breslow will join a Diamondbacks bullpen which was much improved in 2011. Arizona's new front office has done a great job of fixing the pitching staff in it's short tenure, and this move only reinforces what they did last year. 

Jarrod Parker is a major league ready starter, who throws four pitchers. His fastball sits around 93 and he mixes it with a good changeup and slider. He also throws a curveball, but it's his fourth best pitch at this point. He has good strikeout potential, and also had solid control. He's already had Tommy John surgery, and has a small frame. Injuries could be a problem in the future, but when healthy, Parker profiles as a top of the rotation starter. 

Collin Cowgill is a fringe regular as an outfielder. He can play centerfield, and has showed good on base skills in the minor leagues. He struck out too often in his small sample this past season, but doesn't have a track record of striking out often in the minors. He could be patrol center field for the Athletics in the future, but will more likely be a fourth outfielder. 

Ryan Cook is a relief pitcher who could be in the Oakland bullpen sooner then later. I don't view him as anything special, but he's young, cost controlled, and could be an average relief option for the Athletics in the near future. 

With Parker's injury history, I think Arizona did good in this trade. Cahill is a proven Major League starter, and should be fine in Chase Field with his high ground ball rate. Already accruing three years of service time though, he didn't fit in with the time table that Oakland was looking for. Jarrod Parker does profile as an impact player in a time table that matches Oakland's other talent. If he stays healthy, it could prove to be a good move for the Athletics. Cowgill should start patrolling the outfield in 2012, but the club will probably upgrade the position before contending. Ryan Cook could bolster the Athletics bullpen in the future, but probably not in a high leverage role.