From ESPN.com:
CINCINNATI — The Oakland Athletics traded pitcher Kirk Saarloos to the Cincinnati Reds on Tuesday for minor-league reliever David Shafer.
Each team also received a player to be named.
The 27-year-old Saarloos went 7-7 with two saves and a 4.75 ERA last season for the AL West champions. After being Oakland’s No. 5 starter in 2005, he made 16 starts and 19 relief appearances last year.
Saarloos had a chance to rejoin the rotation full-time this year under new A’s manager Bob Geren. Last week, Saarloos and the Athletics avoided salary arbitration when they agreed on a one-year contract worth $1.2 million.
Shafer, a 24-year-old righty, had 26 saves and a 2.36 ERA for Double-A Chattanooga last year.
I know I sound like a broken record, but another deal I don’t like. Saarloos is already 27 (and has pitched 2 years in the bigs), gives up over a hit an inning and his K/9 is only 3.33. I’d guess you’re seeing the #5 starter.
Shafer is 24 (in March) and is coming off a great year last year at AA. He probably would have been a Red at some point this season. He has way more upside than Saarloos, IMO.
Krivsky’s seeming more and more like Jim Bowden, bring 100 guys to camp and see who makes the team out of ST.
Update: The Reds have also signed Mark Bellhorn to a minor league deal, according to Trent Rosecrans.