Kirk Saarloos Heads to Cincinnati

The Cincinnati Reds acquired right-handed pitcher Kirk Saarloos Tuesday in a trade that sent minor league reliever David Shafer to the Oakland Athletics. Each team will get a player to be named later, as well.

In an attempt to fill in their rotation and bulk up their struggling bullpen, Saarloos could be a decent fit in either spot. After being cast as Oakland's fifth starter in 2005, he made 16 starts and 19 relief appearances last season, going 7-7 with two saves and a 4.75 ERA in the 'pen.

Seeing as how Great American Ball Park is a hitter's park, Saarloos' ground-ball inducing sinker could come in quite handy in Cincinnati. However, he gave up a career-high 19 bombs in 121.1 innings last year.

Shafer, a promising 24-year-old righty, had 26 saves and a 2.36 ERA for the AA Chattanooga Lookouts last year.

[San Francisco Chronicle]