by Ken Rosenthal

The A's have acquired outfielder Scott Hairston from the San Diego Padres for minor-league pitchers Ryan Webb, Craig Italiano and a player to be named later.

The A's did not acquire Hairston with the intention of trading him to another club, according to a major-league source. They tried to obtain him from the Diamondbacks two years ago, valued his right-handed power and the fact that they will control him through 2011.

The Mets, Giants and Phillies were among the other teams interested in Hairston, who represented the Padres' main power threat after first baseman Adrian Gonzalez. Hairston is earning $1.5 million, which made him affordable for every club.

The addition of Hairston could make it easier for the A's to trade Matt Holliday, who bats right-handed.

Hairston, who just returned from a stint on the disabled list, hit .299 with 10 home runs and 29 RBIs in 56 games with the Padres. He also had a career-high eight stolen bases.

Hairston, 29, debuted with the Arizona Diamondbacks in 2004 and was traded to the Padres in July of 2007.

Webb was 7-1 with two saves and 4.34 in 31 games at Triple-A Sacramento. Italiano was 5-6 with a 5.63 in 16 starts at Single-A Stockton.

The player to be named later is key to the deal from the Padres' perspective, according to a major-league source. That player will be announced at the end of the month.