D-backs use three-team deal to get Trumbo's power bat
Eaton sent to White Sox, Skaggs to Angels; outfielder excited to join Snakes
LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. -- For the last month, D-backs GM Kevin Towers had been talking with his White Sox counterpart Rick Hahn about a deal involving outfielder Adam Eaton.
With the White Sox not interested in discussing pitcher Chris Sale in a deal, the two teams were not sure they had a fit.
In outfielder Mark Trumbo, the D-backs got the power hitter they were seeking while losing Eaton to the White Sox and Skaggs to the Angels.
The D-backs also receive two players to be named -- one each from the White Sox and Angels -- while the Angels got pitcher Hector Santiago from the White Sox.
"I'm really excited for the opportunity," Trumbo said. "It's pretty obvious that Arizona made a very strong commitment as far as bringing me over and ended up trading some very good talent in order to acquire me. That says a lot. For me as a player, you always want to go where you're wanted and give your best effort for somebody who's made some sacrifices to get you."
Trumbo, 27, hit .234 with 34 home runs and 100 RBIs for the Angels this year and has hit 95 home runs across his three full seasons in the big leagues.
The D-backs liked the idea of pairing Trumbo and Paul Goldschmidt in the same lineup.
"Two of the probably better right-handed power bats in the National League," Towers said. "Excited for Spring Training. Excited to see how it all works. Had to give up a lot to get it, but I think we're all pretty happy with how things worked out."
Though the defensive metrics are not kind to Trumbo, the D-backs believe he will provide adequate defense in left field.
For his part, Trumbo thinks having one position to focus on, rather than moving around as he did with the Angels, will allow him to improve.
"I've never truly had a position to call my own, and it seems as if this is much closer to that scenario," Trumbo said. "And I think that can really help you as a player, getting consistent reps, day in and day out, at the stadium that you're in, as far as who you'll be sharing the outfield with and things like that."
Towers also went out of his way to point out that scouts rated Goldschmidt as a below-average defender at one point, but he worked hard at improving and this past season won the Gold Glove.
One knock on Trumbo has been his on-base percentage, which was .294 last year.
"You always would like to see better, but I like the idea of potentially 100-plus RBIs and 30 homers to go with Goldy," Towers said. "It's hard to find the guys that hit 30 to 40 home runs with high on-base as well, but we're excited about the player."
Though Trumbo's power numbers have been good, they could end up getting even better with the switch to Chase Field, which has the well-deserved reputation of being a hitter's ballpark.
"I think he has a chance to hit 40 home runs in our park," Towers said. "He should put up better numbers than he did in Anaheim based on park factors and how the park plays."
Trumbo has never played at Chase Field, though he has attended games there.
"It's going to be a new experience for me," Trumbo said. "But from the sound of all the messages I got today, the feedback, it looks like it's going to be a really good place, as a hitter and a power hitter, to put together a good campaign."
Trumbo is eligible for salary arbitration this year, and MLBTradeRumors.com projects him to earn $4.5 million. The D-backs control his rights through the 2016 season, but Towers said they may explore an extension with him at some point.
This will be Skaggs' second go-round with the Angels. The D-backs initially acquired him from the Angels in July 2010 in a deal that included right-hander Dan Haren.
Eaton was viewed as Arizona's leadoff hitter of the future, but with A.J. Pollock also on the roster, the D-backs had a surplus of center fielders and elected to deal one to fill their power-bat deficiency.