MLB Trade: Orioles acquire Tim Beckham from Rays

The Baltimore Orioles have acquired infielder Tim Beckham from the Tampa Bay Rays in exchange for a minor league pitcher.

The Baltimore Orioles made a sneaky last second just before the 4 O’clock Eastern Trade Deadline on Monday. The O’s will add infielder Tim Beckham from the Rays. Beckham, 27, is having a breakout season in 2017. The former No. 1 overall pick in 2008 is batting .259 to go with 12 home runs. Baltimore has become surprised buyers despite sitting in fourth place in the AL East. With the Red Sox, Yankees, and Rays also buying, the Orioles are not willing to fold their hand on the 2017 season.

Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times was the first to report the news:

The prospect the Orioles gave up does not appear to be a premium prospect making this a low-risk deal for the O’s. Tampa did have a gluttony of infielders making Beckham expendable despite the solid season he was having. While Beckham hasn’t lived up to the hype as a first overall pick, he does appear to be heading in the right direction in terms of his development. Beckham has played all of the infield positions besides first base making him a valuable utility player.

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The Rays decision to part with Beckham does appear to be odd for the fact that they have been buyers. Tampa Bay has added Lucas Duda, Sergio Romo, Adeiny Hechavarria and Steve Cisek. The additions have made Beckham’s chance of getting everyday at bats slim. Tamp Bay sits in third place in the AL East and just 2.5 games out of a Wild Card spot. The prospect they will receive back, Tobias Myers is 19 and represents a sort of risky prospect that hasn’t advanced past Single-A yet. Myers has recorded a 3.94 ERA in the minors.