Padres acquire Tejada from Orioles
The Padres added firepower to the lineup on Thursday afternoon by trading for Orioles 3B Miguel Tejada in exchange for Class AA P Wynn Pelzer.
Tejada was batting .269 with seven homers and 39 RBIs in 97 games for the Orioles. The 2002 American League Most Valuable Player will add depth across the board for the Padres, who are expected to use him in a utility role once he arrives in San Diego later tonight.
With starting 2B David Eckstein (calf) on the disabled list and SS Everth Cabrera batting a mere .201, the Padres needed to bolster their numbers in the middle of their infield. Tejada will probably start at short when the Padres take the field against the Marlins on Friday night. He will also spell Chase Headley at third base, and San Diego manager Bud Black has mentioned that Tejada could also see time in the outfield.
Eckstein is eligible to return from the disabled list on August 5, but Black said Eckstein’s return could be prolonged by at least a week or two.
The Orioles sent an undisclosed amount of cash to help cover the remainder of Tejada’s $2 million salary this season.
Pelzer, a ninth round pick of the Padres in the 2007 amateur draft, was 6-9 with a 4.20 ERA in 22 appearances (18 starts) with San Antonio. He is expected to join the Orioles’ Class AA affiliate at Bowie.
Tags: Chase Headley, David Eckstein, Miguel Tejada















