Bell dealt to D-backs, who trade Young to Oakland

PHOENIX (AP) ? Heath Bell became the latest player jettisoned by the Miami Marlins when he was dealt Saturday to the Arizona Diamondbacks, who also acquired infielder Cliff Pennington from the Oakland for outfielder Chris Young.

Arizona obtained Pennington and minor league infielder Yordy Cabrera from Oakland for Young and cash, then sent Cabrera to the Miami Marlins for Bell and cash.

Earlier in the day, Arizona exercised a $6.5 million option on closer J.J. Putz.

The 35-year-old Bell has 151 saves the past four seasons. He signed a $27 million, three-year contract with Miami last offseason but lost his closer's job in July. He finished with 19 saves in 27 chances and a 5.09 ERA in in 73 games.

After failing to contend in the first season of their new ballpark, the Marlins traded former NL batting champion Hanley Ramirez to the Los Angeles Dodgers in July and sent pitcher Anibal Sanchez and infielder Omar Infante to the Detroit Tigers.

Arizona general manager Kevin Towers said Bell provides a right-handed power arm to help set up Putz and Pennington adds the team experience at shortstop and second base.

Young, Arizona's center fielder for six seasons, was the odd man out in a crowded outfield with the team expecting young Adam Eaton, called up from Triple-A Reno late this season, to play center and be the Diamondbacks' leadoff hitter.

Pennington, 28, played in 125 games for the A's. He had 93 appearances at shortstop but was shifted to second base in last August. A switch hitter, Pennington hit .215 last season, including .168 against left-handers, and had 28 RBIs.

This could be a sign A's general manager Billy Beane might try to move center fielder Coco Crisp, who signed a $14 million, two-year contract in January that includes a $7.5 million club option for 2014 with a $1 million buyout.

Oakland already acquired shortstop Stephen Drew from the Diamondbacks this season and he helped them down the stretch. The A's overtook Texas on the final day of the regular season to win the AL West and returned to the playoffs for the first time since 2006. They lost in five games to the World Series-bound Detroit Tigers.

Beane said the day after the season ended he planned to keep his young team intact as much as possible. Last offseason, Oakland traded three top pitchers: Trevor Cahill to Arizona, Gio Gonzalez to Washington and closer Andrew Bailey to Boston.

The 29-year-old Young, a popular player in the Arizona clubhouse, has had three 20-homer, 20-steal seasons. He injured his right shoulder crashing into a wall while making a catch early this season and struggled at the plate after. A quadriceps injury in early September sent Young to the bench in favor of Eaton.

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AP Baseball Writer Janie McCauley contributed to this report.

Associated Press

Source: http://hosted2.ap.org/APDEFAULT/347875155d53465d95cec892aeb06419/Article_2012-10-20-Diamondbacks-Athletics-Marlins%20Trades/id-6de68c41e0cf421aaa4e557d5669a228

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