The 2011 MLB Winter Meetings ended on Thursday but that doesn't mean the Hot Stove is turned off. According to multiple reports, the Arizona Diamondbacks and Oakland Athletics are deep in negotiations for a trade that would send one or more prospects from Arizona in exchange for RHP Trevor Cahill and possibly LHP Craig Breslow.
Both Cahill and Breslow have experience at the major league level and could bolster the D-backs staff. It's not clear what prospects the D-backs would have to give up, but according to reports RHP Jarrod Parker may or may not be included and OF Collin Cowgill has been mentioned.
Trevor Cahill, 23, has three seasons with the A's with 96 total starts and a career ERA of 3.91 over 583 innings. He's known as a ground ball pitcher with his strongest pitcher a 88-92 mph sinker. He also throws a change-up and curve.
Breslow, 30, is a reliever with six seasons of major league experience with a career ERA of 3.06. Last season he pitched 59 innings with 44 strikeouts and 21 walks as a lefty specialist. He's considered one of the smartest players in the league.
Who Has the Brainiest Team in Baseball? - WSJ.com
Judging by his résumé, Craig Breslow is the smartest man in baseball, if not the entire world. A lefty reliever for the Athletics, Mr. Breslow graduated from Yale with a degree in molecular biophysics and biochemistry before trying his hand at professional sports.
Here's a few reports on the on-going trade discussions from respected baseball writers. As is common with these situation, there are conflicting reports which indicates how fluid the situation is:
Twitter / @nickpiecoro:
Hearing talks have advanced between Dbacks-A's regarding RHP Trevor Cahill. RHP Jarrod Parker thought to be involved.Twitter / @Ken_Rosenthal: .
#Dbacks expected to receive Breslow as well as Cahill from #Athletics. #MLBTwitter / @Ken_Rosenthal: Sources:
Sources: #Dbacks close on Cahill. RHP Jarrod Parker, OF Collin Cowgill in play for #Athletics. Could be others coming from A's. #MLBTwitter / @BNightengale:
The #Dbacks are hopeful that #Athletics will accept their offer of prized pitching prospect for Trevor Cahill. #mlbTwitter / @BNightengale:
The #Dbacks plan on Parker being their 5th starter so he is NOT in potential deal
The previously reported discussions involving A's pitcher Gio Gonzalez seem to have cooled with Oakland seeking what Fox Sports Arizona described as a "Dan Haren package" that would be too pricey.
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