Conor Jackson First Arizona Diamondback to Leave Town; Traded to Oakland A's

Conor Jackson has been shipped out of town, just not to the team we expected. As we mentioned a few weeks ago, the D-Backs front office said changes were on the way -- Jackson is simply the first to go. Rumors swirled yesterday that Jackson would soon be on his...

By Eric Smith

June 15, 2010

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Conor Jackson has been shipped out of town, just not to the team we expected.

As we mentioned a few weeks ago, the D-Backs front office said changes were on the way -- Jackson is simply the first to go.

Rumors swirled yesterday that Jackson would soon be on his way to Texas and the first-place Rangers.

Sorry Conor, but you're going to another team with bleak playoff hopes: The Oakland A's.

The deal between the D-Backs and A's, who are four games behind Texas in the A.L. West, sends Jackson to Oakland (along with some cash) in return for reliever Sam Demel.

Demel, 24, has been in Triple-A Sacramento this season where he did pretty well. He had a 1.26 ERA in 28 2/3 innings while striking out 28 and walking nine.

Now that Jackson has departed from left field, this means Gerardo Parra is going to see playing time on a regular basis.

This deal actually looks somewhat thought out by the D-Backs front office, even if Demel has never pitched in the majors before.

Jackson was obviously struggling at the plate this season as he is hitting just .238 with one home run.

Meanwhile, the Snakes bullpen has been shaky, to say the least.

Let's all hope Demel can step in and provide some actual relief for the D-Backs starters. They need it badly.

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