Baltimore Orioles Trade Miguel Tejada to San Diego
Tejada leaves a team that has the worst record in baseball and is 33 games out of first place for a squad that is currently leading their division and looking to reach the playoffs for the first time since the 2006 season.
After playing third base for the Orioles this season, the Padres expect Tejada to see action at both third base and his natural position of shortstop.
Offensively, Tejada has struggled at times this season hitting only .269 with seven home runs and 39 RBI. He is a career .288 hitter with 292 home runs and 1,224 RBI.
After playing in the American League for his first 11 major league seasons, Tejada was traded by the Orioles to the Houston Astros prior to the 2008 season and hit .298 with 27 home runs and 152 RBI on his two seasons with the Astros.
He rejoined the Orioles as a free agent prior to the 2010 season and moved to third base after having spent his entire career as a shortstop. He had 15 errors in 93 games at third base for the Orioles this season.
To replace Tejada, the Orioles have recalled third baseman Josh Bell from triple-A. Bell, who the Orioles acquired in a deadline trade with the Los Angeles Dodgers a year ago, has played six games for the Orioles this season and is hitting .263.
Bell should have a chance to show new Orioles’ manager Buck Showalter whether he is capable of being the long term answer for the Orioles at third base.
