Athletics Acquire Abad

Astros fans: remember Fernando Abad? He is certainly a good example of an inconsistent pitcher. His first and second stints with the Astros were nearly identical in innings pitched as he threw 19 and 19 2/3 in the 2010 and 2011 campaigns. But the similarities end there. His first taste in the National League saw him stay afloat with a 2.84 ERA despite a 1.4 HR/9 rate. The 2011 stint was more reflective of his tendency to allow homers with a 7.32 ERA and a 2.3 HR/9 rate. Abad tried to work things out in the subsequent offseason and was given a rotation spot during the 2012 season where he again proved less than quality.

In the 2012 offseason, Abad signed with the Washington Nationals. Perhaps he discovered his confidence from long ago as he pitched to a respectable 3.35 ERA with 7.6 K/9 and 3.2 K/BB rate out of the bullpen. Unfortunately for Abad, he was designated for assignment last week with the Nationals’ announcing their 40-man roster in preparation for December’s Rule V Draft. Combined with his tenure with the Astros, Abad has compiled a career record of 1-14 with a 4.56 ERA, logging 122 1/3 innings and making 127 appearances through parts of four MLB seasons.

Today, in a swap for a minor league outfielder the Athletics acquired LHP Fernando Abad.

Wooten was a late-round selection in 2012. Last season, Wooten managed a slash line of .257/.333/.430 while hitting 20 homers for the Athletics’ Class A affiliate.

If Abad makes the Athletics’ roster, this will be his first venture into the American League. With the Athletics and Astros now in the AL West, maybe Houston will benefit from Abad’s gopher ball tendencies this time around.

Fernando  Abad (Brad Mills-USA TODAY Sports)