LAKELAND, Fla. -- The San Diego Padres traded infielder Damian Jackson and catcher Matt Walbeck to the Detroit Tigers on Saturday for catcher Javier Cardona and outfielder Rich Gomez.

Jackson hit .241 with four home runs and 38 RBI, and stole 23 bases last season for the Padres.

"When a trade like this happens, you have to look at it like somebody wanted you, not that you weren't wanted because you'll drive yourself crazy," Jackson said. "We'll see."

Jackson, 28, had a .986 fielding percentage at second base. He also has played shortstop and outfield in the majors.

"Jackson brings the ability to play five positions to our club," Tigers general manager Randy Smith said. "He gives us more athleticism and experienced versatility off the bench."

The Tigers were in need of a utility player.

"It looks like a good deal," manager Phil Garner said. "It's what we need."

Walbeck, 32, spent almost the entire 2001 season in Triple-A. He singled for Philadelphia in his only major league at-bat.

Walbeck also has played Detroit, the Chicago Cubs, Minnesota and Anaheim. He had been in the Padres' camp as a non-roster invitee.

Cardona, 26, hit .260 with one homer and 10 RBI in 46 games for the Tigers. He batted .235 for Triple-A Toledo.

Gomez, 25, hit .269 with 14 homers, 44 RBI and 26 stolen bases for Double-A Erie.

With the trade, the Padres settled their competition at second base, with D'Angelo Jimenez getting the job.

Jackson, a converted shortstop, made a successful move to second base in 2001. By season's end, Padres manager Bruce Bochy said he was the NL's best defensive second baseman.

But he dipped offensively and lost nearly two months to a broken thumb. He struck out 128 times in 440 at-bats.

Padres general manager Kevin Towers said Cardona and Gomez likely will start the season at Triple-A Portland, though Cardona also provides insurance at catcher. Starter Wiki Gonzalez has been bothered by a strained triceps tendon this spring.

"More than anything, this is a vote of confidence for D'Angelo Jimenez and Deivi Cruz," Towers said.

Jimenez closed last season as the Padres' starting shortstop but had the worst fielding percentage (.948) among NL regulars. Cruz, formerly Detroit's starting shortstop, signed with San Diego as a free agent and will be the Padres' only backup middle infielder.

Bochy said breaking the news of this trade was particularly difficult because of how Jackson helped the ballclub following the death of outfielder Mike Darr in a Feb. 15 auto accident.

Jackson was Darr's best friend among the Padres, and he served as a conduit between the team and Darr's family in the hours following the accident. Jackson also delivered the first eulogy at Darr's funeral.

"We become like a second family here," Bochy said. "I thanked Damian for his contributions. One of the things that was very special was seeing how he stepped up after the Mike Darr tragedy. It makes it a little more difficult to say goodbye to him, because he really did a great job helping with the family. Things like that really bring a club together," he said.