The Orioles have made an interesting trade, bringing in infielder Blaze Alexander from the Diamondbacks. In return, they sent right-hander Kade Strowd and two minor leaguers, Wellington Aracena and José Mejia, to Arizona. This trade keeps both teams’ 40-man rosters balanced.
Blaze Alexander, who turns 27 in June, has played two seasons with the Diamondbacks. He has had 451 plate appearances, hitting .237 with a .322 on-base percentage and a .366 slugging percentage. His performance has been slightly below average, with a high strikeout rate of 29.9%. However, he’s shown flexibility, playing multiple positions on the infield and even some outfield.
The Diamondbacks have solid infield options in Nolan Arenado, Geraldo Perdomo, and Ketel Marte. With Alexander running out of options, it made sense for Arizona to trade him, especially as they are streamlining their roster. They’re expected to look for someone in free agency to backfill Alexander’s role.
On the other hand, the Orioles appear eager to utilize Alexander as a versatile bench player. They currently have young talents like Jordan Westburg, Gunnar Henderson, and Jackson Holliday in their infield. Alexander could be a valuable addition, especially against left-handed pitchers, having a stronger batting average of .269 against them.
His time before hitting free agency is significant; while he’s out of options, he has just a little over a year of service. This means the Orioles could control him for another five years if he secures a roster spot.
Kade Strowd, at 28, made his major league debut last year. He pitched 26 innings with a 1.71 earned run average. However, he struggled with walks despite a decent strikeout rate, indicating he might need some refinement. Arizona’s bullpen has faced challenges lately, especially with injuries to key pitchers, making Strowd a potential asset as they rebuild.
This trade isn’t just about players; it reflects broader trends in MLB, where teams are increasingly looking for flexibility and value in their rosters. According to a recent study by the MLB Players Association, organizations are leaning more on younger players as they adapt to evolving game dynamics.
With the ongoing evolution in baseball, trades like this one demonstrate how teams are navigating challenges while trying to build competitive squads. For the Orioles, Alexander offers both immediate support and long-term potential, aligning with their strategy of cultivating young talent.
For more on player trades and team dynamics, you can check out ESPN’s MLB coverage.
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blaze alexander,kade strowd,wellington aracena
