OAKLAND – The A's pulled off a surprising trade Saturday, acquiring veteran center fielder Chris Young from the Arizona Diamondbacks for infielder Cliff Pennington and minor league infielder Yordy Cabrera.

The A's also received cash considerations from the Diamondbacks.

Arizona then traded Cabrera to the Miami Marlins for closer Heath Bell and cash considerations.

In seven seasons with Arizona, Young produced four seasons with at least 20 homers and three with at least 20 steals. In 2012, he played in only 101 games because of injuries to his right shoulder and right quadriceps, batting .231 with 24 doubles, 14 home runs, 41 RBIs and eight stolen bases.

Young's contract runs through the 2013 season, when he'll receive $8.5 million, with a club option ($11 million, with a $1.5 million buyout) for 2014.

The acquisition of Young further crowds an A's outfield that includes Yoenis Cespedes, Coco Crisp, Josh Reddick, Seth Smith and Jonny Gomes.

Pennington, who broke into the majors with Oakland in 2008, played in 125 games this season and batted .215 with a .278 on-base percentage and a .311 slugging percentage. He moved from shortstop to second base after the A's acquired shortstop Stephen Drew from Arizona on Aug. 20.

Pennington helped the A's late-season surge by hitting .267 with three homers and 10 RBIs and playing strong defense in his final 33 games.

In the American League Division Series against Detroit, Pennington hit .286 (4 for 14) with one RBI in five games.

Oakland drafted Cabrera in the second round in 2010. The Dominican batted .232 (51 for 220) with nine doubles, two triples, three home runs and 21 RBIs in 60 games with Class-A Stockton this year.

Miami is Cabrera's new organization after the Marlins found a taker for Bell, who was a huge disappointment in his only season in South Florida.

Coming off three consecutive seasons of 40-plus saves for San Diego, Bell blew 8 of 27 save opportunities and ultimately lost the closer's role to Steve Cishek.

In addition, he became persona non grata in the clubhouse for what coaches and teammates considered excuse making. Whether Bell meant to or not at various points throughout the season, he made comments interpreted as critical of everyone from the training staff to his catchers to manager Ozzie Guillen.

As part of the transaction, the Marlins are sending $8 million to the Diamondbacks to help defray the remaining $21 million on Bell's contract, which runs through 2014. Bell collected the first $6 million of a three-year, $27 million deal in 2012. He also is owed a $3 million signing bonus and annual salaries of $9 million in 2013 and 2014.

"He was excited," said Diamondbacks general manager Kevin Towers, who served in the same role with the Padres while Bell was there. "I think he's excited to be able to clean the slate. There's a lot of upside still with this guy."

Earlier in the day, Arizona exercised a $6.5 million option on closer J.J. Putz.

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