The Orioles’ bench was already crowded. The Orioles’ bullpen already had question marks.

Today, though, Baltimore added to their position player depth while subtracting from the ‘pen, sending reliever Kade Strowd and prospects Wellington Aracena and José Mejía to the Diamondbacks in exchange for utility man Blaze Alexander.

On the surface, this positional calculus may not add up. But Alexander’s unique skill set could separate him from the bench pack, while the O’s surplus of righty relief options might mitigate Strowd’s loss.

Alexander, the 26-year-old IMG Academy product, was a perennial upper-tier prospect in the Diamondbacks’ system, ranking as high as No. 9 overall back in 2019, according to MLB Pipeline. After a promotion to the bigs in 2024, Alexander found himself in a bench role with Arizona last season, appearing in 74 games and accumulating a 1.7 Baseball Reference WAR.

Though he does sport an .829 OPS in his minor league career, the most valuable part of Alexander’s game might just come defensively, where he’s capable of playing all over the diamond. Last season, the Florida native appeared at four different positions: third base, second base, left field and center field. According to Statcast, the righty was in the 70th percentile in baseball in outs above average, 63rd percentile in arm strength, and 86th percentile in sprint speed.

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 11^th-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.