The Tampa Bay Rays have acquired minor league catcher Jonah Heim from the Baltimore Orioles in exchange for infielder Steve Pearce.
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Pearce, 33, hit.309/.388/.520 (63-for-204) for the Rays with 11 doubles, 10 home runs, 29 RBI and 26 walks in 60 games, 54 starts (27-1B, 14-2B, 12-DH, 1-3B). In his 5.5-year big league career, Miley pitched for the Arizona Diamondbacks for four years and was then shipped to Boston where he lasted for just the 2015 season. Between 2007 and 2013, he had amassed 0.5 WAR on FanGraphs.
Given his age, Pearce will probably never be that good again, but he’s a solid hitter who offers a lot of defensive value. Baltimore Orioles executive VP of baseball operations Dan Duquette said in an interview on MLB Network Radio that the veteran’s versatility will allow the Orioles the opportunity to carry an extra pitcher.
Pearce’s arrival could mean the departure of Nolan Reimold, who has largely been a reserve outfielder for Baltimore.
The Orioles have done a nice job upgrading their team without giving up any top prospects.
Heim is still a ways away from the majors. He has been struggling so far this year and won’t really pitch unless the Mariners bullpen get exhausted. Numerous minor league sites have him ranked 13 among Orioles prospects.
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The 21-year-old Heim, was the Orioles 4th round pick in the 2013 draft, and has spent the entire 2016 season at High-A ball, where he has hit.216 with a.300 on-base percentage in 88 games.
