According to MLB.com (click here for the article), the Padres have acquired Miguel Tejada and cash from the Baltimore Orioles in exchange for minor league pitcher Wynn Pelzer.
The Padres Get
Tejada provides depth for the Padres at both third base and shortstop, though he may not see regular playing time. Chase Headley is the Padres' third baseman, and unless they are going to move him back to the outfield, he should still see the majority of the time there. Of course, they are desperate for offense, so anything is possible. This actually appears the most likely scenario if they want to get Tejada’s bat in the lineup regularly.
Everth Cabrera sees the majority of the time at shortstop, so it’s possible Tejada plays a little bit there, assuming the team feels he can handle the position defensively. I guess for a game here and there, it’s not the end of the world, but he’s not a long-term solution there.
Offensively, Tejada has little pop at this point in his career and playing in Petco Park could eliminate it entirely. He is hitting .269, but is sporting a BABIP under .300 (.282). He hasn’t finished a year below .302 since 2003, so there certainly is some upside there. Still, on the Padres he’s not going to score many runs and may not drive in too many as well. I would consider him at 3B only in NL-only and the deepest of mixed leagues at this point.
The Orioles Get
Pelzer is currently at Double-A with a 4.20 ERA over 94.1 innings. However, prior to the season, Baseball America ranked him as the Padres seventh best prospect. They said that he has “a heavy 93-95 mph fastball that touches 97 in short stints” and that his “stuff would play up in a relief role, and it’s not hard to imagine him as a closer."
At 24-years old, it wouldn’t be a surprise to see the Orioles transition him now and get him to the Majors in September. Keep an eye on him, as the Orioles do need a long-term solution at closer.
Additionally, the Orioles have recalled Josh Bell, who now should get regular playing time at third base. At Triple-A this season he’s hit .278 with 13 HR and 50 RBI in 316 AB. He’s gotten very limited playing time in the Majors, so you can ignore his numbers there. He’s been hot as of late (.381, 5 HR in his last 10 games,) and could be like catching lightning in a bottle for a few weeks. He has potential and could provide value in deeper formats if you are in need at third.
What are your thoughts on the deal? Will Tejada have value?
Make sure to check out our trade deadline analysis:
- Yunel Escober for Alex Gonzalez
- Alberto Callaspo traded to the Angels
- Dan Haren traded to the Angels
- Jhonny Peralta to the Tigers
- Scott Podsednik to the Dodgers
- Roy Oswalt to the Phillies for J.A. Happ and 2 minor leaguers
- Jorge Cantu to the Rangers
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