The Orioles aren’t conceding that their roster won’t fit a utility infielder.
The club is acquiring Blaze Alexander from the Diamondbacks for reliever Kade Strowd and minor league right-hander Wellington Aracena and infielder José Mejia. A source confirmed the trade.
Alexander, 26, is an 11th-round draft pick in 2018 out of IMG Academy in Bradenton, Fla., who has played third base, second base and shortstop. He’s also made 13 starts in center field as a professional.
Spring training report dates are next week and the Orioles continue to carry first basemen Ryan Mountcastle and Coby Mayo, along with first baseman Pete Alonso and infielders Gunnar Henderson, Jackson Holliday and Jordan Westburg. Jeremiah Jackson is expected to move around the field in an attempt to stick with the team, and Luis Vázquez and Payton Eeles are counted among the non-roster invites.
Alexander has hit .237/.322/.366 in 135 games over the past two seasons with Arizona. He appeared in 74 games last year and slashed .230/.323/.383 with 12 doubles, a triple and seven home runs.
Being out of options and what the Orioles gave up should improve Alexander's chances of heading north.
The cost for acquiring Alexander included a reliever who would have competed for a job in camp.
Strowd made his major league debut last season and posted a 1.71 ERA in 25 games. He surrendered only one home run in 26 1/3 innings.
His exit thins the competition for now, but president of baseball operations/general manager Mike Elias might make another bullpen move before Opening Day.
Elias acquired Aracena from the Mets at the trade deadline for left-hander Gregory Soto. Baseball America ranked him as the No. 23 prospect in the system.
Aracena, 21, had a 2.35 ERA and 1.087 WHIP in five starts with High-A Aberdeen. He averaged 5.9 walks and 9.4 strikeouts per nine innings.
Mejia, 20, has hit .292/.422/.407 in 103 minor league games, including 47 last year in the Florida Complex League.
MLB.com, the Arizona Republic and FanSided were among the outlets with details of the trade.