SAN DIEGO - Ryan O’Hearn has a locker set up on one side of the Padres' home clubhouse and Ramón Laureano dresses across the room. The distance between them can’t interfere with how close they are as teammates.
O’Hearn and Laureano were packaged at the trade deadline for six minor league prospects headlined by left-hander Boston Bateman. They walked out of Baltimore and stepped into a pennant race.
Both players are in today’s lineup for the series opener against the Orioles at Petco Park. Manny Machado is batting third, O’Hearn fourth and Laureano fifth. Jose Iglesias, who appeared in 39 games with the club in the pandemic-shortened 2020 season, is batting eighth and playing shortstop.
This is the first time that four former Orioles are in a lineup against the club since the Rangers started Mark McLemore, Rafael Palmeiro, Todd Zeile and Gregg Zaun on May 16, 1999, according to STATS.
“I’m enjoying it, it’s been good,” O’Hearn said. “It’s good guys that welcomed me in. It’s a good team. Been having fun, getting after it. Obviously, I miss the boys over there, I miss you guys, but it’s been a good move for me and I’m enjoying my time here.”
O’Hearn also looked forward to visiting with the friends that he left behind – or what’s left of them after the deadline. This isn't anywhere close to being the same Orioles.
“Yeah, I think it’s gonna be weird,” he said. “It’s gonna be fun, though. Obviously, I’ve got a ton of respect for those guys. I’ve watched (Kyle) Bradish go through his whole rehab process. Be who he was, the ace. And then I just watched his last start and he looks pretty damn good still. So it’s gonna be a challenge, but it will be fun to compete against him.
“I obviously love them as people and I hope the best for them in their careers, but for the next three days I’m trying to beat them. So it will be a fun challenge.”
Laureano smiled and shook hands with members of the Baltimore media, and he hugged some players and team employees near the dugout during batting practice. He pointed at the bench and tapped his chest, walked near the cage and chatted with interim manager Tony Mansolino. But facing the Orioles, he insisted, would be treated as “just a normal series.”
“We’re trying to win some ballgames and focus on that, play quality games,” he said.
“I expect zero emotions.”
The Orioles are one of the youngest teams in baseball and the Padres rank among the oldest. The nameplates above the lockers on the home side reflect it. These are two different baseball worlds in one gorgeous ballpark.
“A lot of accolades in this room, so that’s been cool to be a part of,” O’Hearn said, “and kind of figure out where I fit in.”
“Here, very relaxed,” Laureano said. “People know what they’re doing, their routine and stuff. But over there, I was there, too. When I say I was there, I was there that I didn’t know what my routine was, my stuff like that. And they’re learning that, and that’s part of being in the big leagues.”
O’Hearn was a favorite to be named Most Valuable Oriole before the trade, with Laureano entering the chat. O’Hearn had to leave a team and city that he loved and quickly find his comfort zone on the opposite coast.
“It’s tough because you’ve got to learn everybody’s name in the building, you’ve got to kind of figure out where you fit in in the clubhouse and what they want from you, expect from you,” O’Hearn said. “Obviously, you want to play good, and kind of adapting to the new scenery and the new everything, and then also trying to play well at the same time in the middle of a pennant race can be challenging. Just try to take it one day at a time, try to enjoy it, and then when the game starts just not worry about anything but competing and playing the game.
“Coming across the country for sure was a big change. Geographically it was definitely the farthest possible change. But you can’t complain too much about moving to San Diego. Definitely enjoyed being here and playing at home in front of this crowd and everything. But just trying to prove yourself and try to show how you can help the team and that you’re a valuable member of the team down the stretch.
“This team is trying to win, trying to do something special, so I want to be part of that. You’ve got to perform to do that. So just continuing to play well even though it’s new everything.”
The transition was eased by Laureano’s inclusion in the trade. O’Hearn wouldn’t be surrounded only by strangers. He wouldn’t feel as lost.
“Yeah, especially because Ramón is the man,” he said. “I enjoy playing with him all season long, so I was excited to find out we were going together. And definitely has made it easier I would say, for sure.”
“I was just going to be myself no matter where I go and stuff,” Laureano said. “Happy for my time in Baltimore and I’m glad I’m here also."
Laureano has a $6.5 million option on his contract for next season, while O’Hearn is approaching free agency. The Orioles could have held onto Laureano at a bargain price, given his outstanding season, as they try to contend next summer. But the Padres wouldn’t part with Bateman unless Laureano came along.
“I wasn’t surprised,” Laureano said. “I saw that that can happen.”
Tonight begins with O’Hearn batting .259 with three doubles, three home runs, 11 RBIs and a .751 OPS in 26 games with San Diego, and Laureano hitting .305 with four doubles, two triples, seven home runs, 23 RBIs and .935 OPS in 28 games.
“He’s been incredible,” O’Hearn said. “Just picked up right where he left off in Baltimore. I’m happy for him, the season he’s had. I think he’s gonna do more special things down the stretch here. Every day he seems to do something crazy, so it’s fun to watch.”
“Just a continuation,” Laureano explained, “doing the same thing on my practice, on my gym work and in the game. At the end of the day, just playing winning baseball.
“We need to start on the right foot in September and finish on the right foot and let’s see where we’re at.”
O’Hearn’s popularity with Orioles fans didn’t fade after he left. The evidence is splattered across various social media platforms. They track how he’s doing with the Padres and continue to root for him.
“It means a lot,” he said. “I’ve got a lot of love for Orioles fans and Birdland. They kind of adopted me. I didn't get drafted by the O's, but I feel I was one of the main guys, and especially this season. I owe a lot of that to the Orioles fans kind of adopting me.
“I got a lot of love for them, so grateful that they still watch and they still care. A lot of amazing people.”