D-Backs acquire Rosales from Padres

PHOENIX -- The D-backs cleared up some of their outfield depth on Friday, trading Scott Hairston to the Padres for Minor League reliever Leo Rosales.

The move allowed Arizona to call up outfielder Carlos Quentin in a corresponding move and make room for star Double-A outfield prospects Justin Upton and Carlos Gonzalez down the road.

"He's never really had a clean opportunity," D-backs general manager Josh Byrnes said of Hairston. "With some of the guys coming, Quentin returning and others behind him, we felt like that opportunity might never be here for him, and we liked Rosales. He's had success all the way up the ladder through Triple-A, and he gives us more depth going forward.

"As we talk about these young guys coming we didn't see in the future that starting job waiting for [Hairston], and we like Rosales. So I think it makes sense for Scotty and the Padres and makes sense for us."

Rosales went 1-1 with a 3.28 ERA in 24 games for Triple-A Portland this season. He collected 14 saves in 15 opportunities before going on the disabled list with a fractured hand on June 8, and it's unknown whether he will return this season.

"We're not necessarily counting on 2007 from him," Byrnes said. "[We're] certainly going to talk to our doctors and see how the fracture is. I know there's still some uncertainty as to whether he would need surgery if the fracture hasn't healed just right. In the long term it's an injury guys recover from. It's just a matter of making sure it's fixed correctly."

Rosales suffered the injury punching the bench after giving up a few runs in a game. "It was a frustration injury," Byrnes said. "We've done our homework. It was a very atypical reaction. He doesn't give up many runs, so he punched the bench."

In five Minor League seasons Rosales has gone 24-16 with 70 saves and a 2.54 ERA in 232 games, including a California League-best 27 saves in 2005 and Midwest League-best 26 saves in 2004. He will be assigned to Triple-A Tucson.

Byrnes said Rosales is known for a "very good" changeup that's complemented by an 88-92 mph fastball and a good slider. With his 70 career saves, he's been groomed as a reliever.

"We wouldn't have done it if we didn't like the pitcher we're getting better," Byrnes said. "We wish Scotty the best with the Padres."

Hairston, whose Padres play the D-backs next week in San Diego, hit .222 with three home runs and 16 RBIs in 75 games this season. For his career in Arizona, the only organization he has ever played for, Hairston hit .238 with 16 homers and 47 RBIs in 200 games over four seasons, although he spent most of 2005 and 2006 in the Minors.

"It's part of the game, and the chances of a person sticking around the same organization are very slim," Hairston said as his locker was being cleaned out. "I understood that, but at the same time I'd really like to thank the Diamondbacks for giving me an opportunity first, and they were great to me. I've met so many friends here on the team as well as throughout the city. This is always going to be home to me in the offseason."

Hairston collected a pair of game-winning hits for Arizona in April. His two-out RBI double in the 11th beat the Reds on April 10 and his go-ahead three-run homer in the seventh on April 29 against the Giants led to a D-backs win.

Hairston's best season for Arizona came during its 111-loss campaign in 2004, when he hit .248 with 13 homers and 29 RBIs in 76 games. But the left fielder never began a season as an Opening Day starter despite hitting better than .300 with power in parts of three seasons at Triple-A, a situation Byrnes said Hairston handled like a pro.

"It's very nice to get an opportunity," Hairston said. "To be going to San Diego, it's great. I was excited about going to that organization, they're very successful. I've got a couple buddies on the team. It's going to be different, but change is good.

"I'm just excited about the opportunity."