Hairston to Athletics

In what is looking to be a firesale by the Padres, they have sent Scott Hairston to the A's for Ryan Webb, Craig Italiano and a PTBNL.


A's Side: Hairston is under control through 2011 and has a had a strong year, hitting .299-.358-.533 in some limited PT after an injury earlier in the year. Not sure where he fits now, as this move pretty much ensures Jack Cust would be the everyday DH and Giambi at 1B if they want him playing everyday in the OF, but Hairston is not a great defensive RF and I struggle to believe he is better then Ryan Sweeney right now.


Padres Side: Webb is a 23 year old who is 7-1, 4.34 at AAA as a reliever. 15 BB, 39 K in 45.2 IP. Italiano is 22, 23 later this month and is 5-6, 5.63 with 40 BB and 75 K's in 76.2 IP at High A Stockton. I think Webb is the traditional Padres reliever and will be one who is a good fit for PETCO's ability to keep the ball in the park. Italiano is all projection at this point and I will bet he ends up in the pen if he makes it.


Overall: I know I will be in the minority of this, but I think the Padres won this deal. Hairston goes from the weaker league to the stronger league and will be counted on to produce. I just don't see him maintaining his current level of play, as he has always been a good bit player, but struggled as an everyday player (until this season). The Athletics have plenty of OF's who need at bats, such as Aaron Cunningham, Eric Patterson, Ryan Sweeney and Travis Buck and Hairston's addition only slows their development times. Meanwhile, San Diego gets Webb, who is a good fit for their park and should be a solid reliever, an upside arm in Italiano and a PTBNL.


The Pads win by default b/c I think the addition of Hairston will end up hurting the A's in regards to the development of their younger OF's and the fact they are not going to be making the playoffs.


Look for most of the data I have collected in the last 3 days to be posted after our baseball game tonight.