The Diamonbacks needed relief help, and today, they got it by acquiring Brad Ziegler from the A’s for P Jordan Norberto and 1B Brandon Allen.
Arizona’s bullpen is very top heavy, with guys like JJ Putz and David Hernandez having great years, Sam Demel and Joe Paterson being solid, and everyone else ranging from average to awful. Ziegler adds another element to the team, as he’s a ground ball specialist. Only Demel in Arizona’s bullpen gets more than 50% ground balls. Ziegler is at 71% this year, and his career mark is 62%. That will be very valuable for team since Chase Field tends to be a hitter’s park, with balls flying out of there like it’s no one’s business.
Norberto is a 24 year old Dominican reliever, who has struck out 54 and walked 26 while allowing just one homer in 48 2/3 innings for Reno of the PCL. He struggled in the majors last year for the Diamondbacks, walking 22 and striking out just 15 in 20 innings. I assume the A’s will give him a chance in their bullpen to replace Ziegler. He generally keeps the ball on the ground, though not as much as Ziegler.
Allen is probably going to get the chance in Oakland that Lars Anderson was going to get, before the Rich Harden trade was called off due to Harden’s medicals. Allen is a minor league masher, hitting 29 homers in ’08, 24 in ’09 between AAA and Arizona, 26 in ’10, and 21 already this season. He doesn’t strike out nearly as much as you’d expect someone to with his power, and he also walks a good bit. He’s never really gotten a chance to shine in Arizona, and should receive every opportunity to play every day with the A’s.
The return for a reliever like Ziegler isn’t tha bad, assuming Allen gets playing time in Oakland. Arizona didn’t give up all that much either, since the team seemed determined to not giving Allen playing time in the majors. This is another trade that works out well for both parties.
