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MLB Trade Rumors: Orioles to acquire Steve Pearce from Rays

By Dave Stevenson

Jun 16, 2016; St. Petersburg, FL, USA; Tampa Bay Rays first baseman Steve Pearce (28) against the Seattle Mariners at Tropicana Field. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports
Jun 16, 2016; St. Petersburg, FL, USA; Tampa Bay Rays first baseman Steve Pearce (28) against the Seattle Mariners at Tropicana Field. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports /
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The Baltimore Orioles have reportedly acquired first baseman/outfielder Steve Pearce from the Tampa Bay Rays in exchange for catching prospect Jonah Heim.

After acquiring Wade Miley from the Seattle Mariners, the Baltimore Orioles were looking to add to their bench thanks to a recent injury to Rule 5 pick Joey Rickard. Ironically, they turned to Rickard’s old team for his replacement: the Tampa Bay Rays. According to Ken Rosenthal, the Orioles have traded catching prospect Jonah Heim to the Rays for Pearce.

Pearce will be a free agent after this season. He should be a familiar face to Orioles fans, as he was a huge part of their American League East champion team from 2014. After Chris Davis went down, Pearce handled every day duties at first base. He proved himself in the outfield and at designated hitter as well. Pearce drastically improves the Orioles bench, giving them a legitimate pinch hitting option in late innings when he doesn’t start.

Heim is a catching prospect who was drafted in the fourth round of the 2013 MLB Draft by the Orioles. He is thought of as being above average defensively, but his bat hasn’t developed as planned. Heim was in Frederick before being traded.

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The Orioles have done a nice job upgrading their team without giving up any top prospects. They will likely look for a left handed reliever in August, as well as pursue other pitching options.

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