Aaron Cunningham and Chris Carter didn't last very long in Arizona. The Diamondbacks shipped them right along as part of
a six-player package to acquire Oakland's Dan Haren.
It's amazing how quickly Arizona depleted its farm system, which I suppose you can do when most of your position players are not yet eligible for arbitration. Either way, it's somewhat comforting to see that they weren't flipped in one-for-one deals that brought back a better return.
Speaking of Carter, Texas Rangers beat writer T.R. Sullivan said Kenny Williams was set to ship him
in exchange for closer Akinori Otsuka:
*The Rangers were ready to trade Akinori Otsuka to the Chicago White
Sox for Class A first baseman Chris Carter, who hit .291 with 25 home
runs and 93 RBI in 2007. But the White Sox saw the medical reports on
Otsuka and killed the deal. Carter instead went to the Diamondbacks for
outfielder Carlos Quentin.
Phew.
Otsuka was not tendered a contract, so the Sox can pick him up for cash if they so choose.
One more note:
The Padres opted for Jim Edmonds instead of Mike Cameron, leaving one less suitor for the center fielder.