Major League Baseball

White Sox get pitchers in trade with Blue Jays

Published Jul. 27, 2011 6:44 p.m. ET

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The Chicago White Sox traded starting pitcher Edwin Jackson and utility player Mark Teahen to the Toronto Blue Jays on Wednesday in exchange for reliever Jason Frasor and pitching prospect Zach Stewart.

With the trade deadline looming Sunday, White Sox manager Kenny Williams said this week that he was undecided whether to cut payroll or add veterans for the stretch run. He said Wednesday's trade helps on both counts.

''We needed to make a little bit of a dent in our payroll, which is stressed a little bit,'' Williams said. ''But we did not want to be making a move that would be counterproductive to the opportunity for us to win still.''

Chicago acquired the 27-year-old Jackson from the Arizona Diamondbacks on July 30 last season. The right-hander is 7-7 this season with a 3.92 ERA in 19 starts for the White Sox, who were carrying six starters on their roster.

''At the end of the day, I've come to understand the game of baseball,'' said Jackson, who is eligible for free agency after this season. ''This is not my first time being traded. Any time I've been traded, there's never been any hard feelings.''

Jackson has been dealt five times since being drafted by the Los Angeles Dodgers as a 17-year-old in 2001. Toronto will be his sixth organization.

''I was born on the move, being a military brat,'' Jackson said. ''My whole life is pick up and make new friends.''

Teahen was signed as a free agent before last season to be Chicago's starting third baseman. The 29-year-old was derailed by injuries and ended up as bench player for White Sox manager Ozzie Guillen. He hit .203 in 51 games this season with three homers and 11 RBI.

''Mixed emotions for sure,'' Teahen said. ''Obviously, I'm disappointed in the way it all worked out here. I wanted it to go a lot different.''

Frasor is a native of the Chicago area. The 33-year-old right-hander was 1-1 with a 2.98 ERA for Toronto in a setup role.

''He's one of the top quality relievers in baseball,'' Williams said. ''He will fit in.''

Stewart was a third-round pick of the Cincinnati Reds in 2008. The 24-year-old started three games for the Blue Jays this season, going 0-1 with a 4.86 ERA. He was 5-5 with a 4.20 ERA for Double-A New Hampshire. Stewart will be assigned to Triple-A Charlotte.

''Zach Stewart has been on our radar for a long time, particularly last year when he was doing some special things in Double-A,'' Williams said. ''He will ultimately be in the mix in some way, shape or form. Most likely this year.''

To fill the open spot on the 25-man big-league roster, the White Sox recalled center fielder Alejandro De Aza from Charlotte and put him in the lineup for Wednesday's afternoon game against the Detroit Tigers.

''The other part of doing what we did today, that allowed us to get De Aza in the lineup in center field,'' Williams said. ''That affords us to give Ozzie something more than honestly what (Alex) Rios is giving us. Rios is going to have to take a back seat now.''

The Rios has hit just .208 this season in 97 games despite a hefty long-term contract that will pay him $12 million this season and has two more years plus a club option remaining.

''Here's what I told Ozzie: Do not worry about the size of the contract,'' Williams said. ''Just worry about putting the players (on the field) on a given day that can help you win.

''I'm sending a message to everyone.''

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