:format(webp)/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/24892171/170390209.0.jpg)
The Arizona Diamondbacks, Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim and Chicago White Sox have completed their long-rumored three-team trade, according to Nick Piecoro of AZCentralSport.com. In the deal, the Diamondbacks receive Mark Trumbo, minor league right-hander A.J. Schugel and a player to be named later, the White Sox acquire outfielder Adam Eaton, and the Angels get left-handers Hector Santiago and Tyler Skaggs.
The Diamondbacks have been rumored to be heavily interested in Trumbo for several days and the Angels have been actively searching for help in their rotation this winter. Early talks between the clubs fluctuated until eventually they brought the White Sox into the mix to facilitate the deal.
Angels' second baseman Howie Kendrick was briefly rumored to be part of the deal, but he is not involved.
Must Reads
Trumbo will head to Arizona, likely shifting from first base to left field -- a position he played sparingly for the Angels. His power numbers have been consistently impressive over the last few seasons, but his overall offensive contribution is quite as noteworthy, considering his below-average ability to get on base.
Despite some holes in his game, Trumbo has posted positive wRC+ (weighted runs created compared to the league average) totals over the last three seasons (109 in 2011, 123 in 2012, and 106 last year). Arizona will also receive minor leaguers righty A.J. Schugel and outfielder Brandon Jacobs.
Eaton will help the White Sox in their efforts to bring youth and athleticism to a team that has featured several long-time veterans in the recent past. His minor league numbers suggest he could be a solid contributor at the major league level. Injuries have limited him to just 88 career games for the D-Backs, but in that short time, he's shown flashes of what could become if given an opportunity. That appears to be the plan for the White Sox. He projects to be an above average defender and could combine a good batting eye with occasional pop to become a dynamic hitter as well, though early ZiPS projections have him posting a .251/338/.348 batting line and just 1.5 WAR at Cellular Field. Eaton will join the Avisail Garcia in what looks like an exciting, young outfield for the future of Chicago's south side club.
Santiago and Skaggs will head to Los Angeles as the Angels attempt to galvanize what was an unspectacular rotation in 2013. Behind Jered Weaver and C.J. Wilson, the Angels struggled to find consistent performances. The rotation will likely continue to be a priority for the club, but adding Santiago and Skaggs certainly helps.
White Sox manager Robin Ventura broke down Santiago recently for the MLB Network on Sirius XM Radio.
Scouts are down on Skaggs due to a decrease in velocity, but some think he could be a back-end starter even if his former velocity doesn't return. That's not exactly what the Angels need, but there is the potential for Skaggs to become more than an innings-eater.
