Baseball: Haren traded to D-Backs, Valverde to Astros

The Arizona Diamondbacks acquired All-Star pitcher Dan Haren from Oakland and traded major league saves leader Jose Valverde to Houston in separate swaps involving 12 players Friday.

Oakland also sent right-hander Connor Robertson to Arizona and received six players: left-handers Brett Anderson, Dana Eveland and Greg Smith; infielder Chris Carter; and outfielders Aaron Cunningham and Carlos Gonzalez.

The N.L. West champion Diamondbacks got reliever Chad Qualls, infielder Chris Burke and right-hander Juan Gutierrez from the Astros.

Haren, who was 15-9 with a 3.07 ERA this year, became the first elite starter to switch teams this off-season – which could set off a flurry of moves by other teams in search of pitching.

The Minnesota Twins are listening to trade offers for two-time Cy Young Award winner Johan Santana, who can become a free agent after next season. Baltimore is thought to be shopping lefty Erik Bedard.

Haren joins a Diamondbacks rotation that includes 2006 N.L. Cy Young Award winner Brandon Webb. Arizona also hopes to get Randy Johnson back from injury next year.

With new general manager Ed Wade, the Astros have been one of baseball’s busiest teams this fall. They traded five players to Baltimore on Wednesday for star shortstop Miguel Tejada, 10 days after signing free-agent second baseman Kaz Matsui to a $16.5 million, three-year contract.

Valverde, who had 47 saves in 54 chances this year, takes over as Houston’s closer from inconsistent Brad Lidge, a 2005 All-Star who was traded to Philadelphia on Nov. 7 in a five-player deal that sent speedy outfielder Michael Bourn to the Astros.

Haren, a right-hander, set career bests for wins, strikeouts (192) and ERA. His ERA was the third-lowest in the American League.

Rangers land Fukumori

Just call him Kaz. That’s what the Texas Rangers’ new relief pitcher prefers.

Acquiring help for the bullpen, the Rangers introduced Japanese reliever Kazuo Fukumori after the sides agreed to a $3 million, two-year deal that includes a team option for 2010.

Fukumori spent the past 13 seasons in Japan, where he was 34-42 with a 3.72 ERA and 72 saves in 377 games (47 starts). He was exclusively a reliever the last five seasons.

Fukumori was 4-2 with 17 saves and a 4.75 ERA in 34 games this season for the Tohoku Rakuten Golden Eagles. His season was shortened when he had surgery to remove bone chips from his elbow, but he has been rehabilitating at home and expects to be ready for opening day.

Lamb joins Twins

Third baseman Mike Lamb and the Minnesota Twins agreed to a $6.6 million, two-year contract with an option for 2010.

Lamb is likely to get a chance to play regularly for the Twins, looking for more offense at third base.

The 32-year-old Lamb hit .289 with 11 homers and 40 RBIs in 124 games with the Houston Astros this season. He has a career batting average of .281 with 68 homers and 313 RBIs.

Floyd, Rays agree

Cliff Floyd agreed to a $3 million, one-year contract with the Tampa Bay Rays, who were searching for a left-handed hitter and someone to help replace Delmon Young in right field.

The 35-year-old Floyd batted .284 with nine homers and 45 RBIs in 108 games for the Chicago Cubs this season.

Padres deal for Edmonds

Hours after talks broke off with Mike Cameron, the San Diego Padres agreed in principle to acquire center fielder Jim Edmonds and cash from the St. Louis Cardinals for a minor leaguer.