D-backs Add Reliever Ziegler In Trade With Athletics

By Jim Callis and Jim Shonerd
July 31, 2011
E-mail Print


The Deal

Submarining righthanded reliever Brad Ziegler joined the Diamondbacks in a two-for-one trade that sent first baseman Brandon Allen and lefty reliever Jordan Norberto to the Athletics. While Ziegler is vulnerable against lefthanded hitters, he gives Arizona a deadly weapon against righthanders, who he's held to a .224/.276/.274 line for his career and .198/.250/.229 this season.

Allen had been unable to establish himself in the majors in parts of three seasons with the Diamondbacks organization, hitting .213/.325/.404 in 209 big league plate appearances since 2009. His departure leaves one less obstacle for first base prospect Paul Goldschmidt. One of the minors' best power prospects, the 23-year-old Goldschmidt leads the minors in homers with 30 for Double-A Mobile.
 
Athletics Acquire
Brandon Allen, 1b
Age: 25. Position: 1B (82 G), LF (12 G).
Born: Feb. 12, 1986 in Conroe, Texas.
Ht.: 6-2. Wt.: 235. Bats: L. Throws: R.
School: Montgomery (Texas) HS.
Career Transactions: Selected by White Sox in fifth round of 2004 draft; signed June 16, 2004 ... Traded by White Sox to Diamondbacks for RHP Tony Pena, July 7, 2009.

Club (League) Class AVG G AB R H 2B 3B HR RBI BB SO SB OBP SLG
Reno (PCL) AAA .306 83 304 75 93 21 4 18 66 64 90 7 .427 .579
Arizona (NL) MLB .172 11 29 5 5 0 0 3 7 7 13 1 .351 .483

Allen had just started seeing regular playing time at first base for Arizona following the all-star break, after the Diamondbacks had been disappointed by the production they received from Juan Miranda, Xavier Nady and Russell Branyan. A one-time White Sox fifth-round pick acquired in a 2009 trade for Tony Pena, Allen stands out most with his well above-average lefthanded raw power. He has yet to find consistent success in the majors, because he gets overly pull conscious and doesn't make consistent contact. He may never hit for a high average, though he does draw walks because pitchers respect his power. A below-average runner, he's an adequate defender at first base or left field.
 
Jordan Noberto, lhp
Age: 24.
Born: Dec. 8, 1986 in Nagua, Dominican Republic.
Ht.: 6-0. Wt.: 195. Bats: L. Throws: L.
Career Transactions: Signed as nondrafted free agent by Diamondbacks, July 14, 2004.

Club (League) Class W L ERA G GS SV IP H R ER HR BB SO WHIP
Reno (PCL) AAA 6 2 4.25 41 0 1 48.2 46 26 23 1 26 54 1.48

Norberto has the potential to be a useful lefthanded reliever, but only if he throws more strikes—which he didn't do during an extended 2010 trial with Arizona. His main pitch is his two-seam fastball, which he usually throws around 91-93 mph with late sink and run. He also throws a tight curveball and a sinking changeup that helps him keep righthanders at bay.
 
Diamondbacks Acquire
Brad Ziegler, rhp
Age: 31. Remaining Commitment: Approximately $417,000 ($1.25 million salary for 2011; under club control for 2012-14 seasons).
Contract details courtesy of Cot's Baseball Contracts.

Club (League) YEAR W L ERA G GS SV IP H R ER HR BB SO WHIP
Oakland (AL) 2011 3 2 2.39 43 0 1 37.2 38 14 10 0 13 29 1.35
3-Year Totals 8 13 2.99 176 0 8 171.2 174 65 57 6 69 124 1.42

indicates Premium Content | Copyright © 1999-2013 Baseball America Inc. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed. All rights reserved. | Site Map | FAQs | Careers | Privacy Policy | Terms of Use | Return/Refund Policy.

Baseball America, 4319 South Alston Avenue, Suite 103, Durham, NC 27713. | Follow us on: