The trade deadline started with a bang for the Orioles. They traded reliever Koji Uehara to the Texas Rangers for right-handed pitcher Tommy Hunter and first baseman Chris Davis.
The value the Orioles got for a setup man is tremendous. However, there’s a downside to the Davis acquisition.
Davis is a young first baseman that is under team control until after the 2015 season. Although it was an unlikely signing, the Orioles have no reason to pursue Milwaukee’s Prince Fielder this offseason.
Fielder is seeking a long-term contract. There are only certain destinations for him, however.
The Yankees may have trouble signing him because they have Mark Teixeira signed long term. Boston has Adrian Gonzalez locked in to a seven-year contract. The Dodgers are having money issues. New York’s other team, the Mets, is also having money troubles. The Cubs would probably pursue Albert Pujols as opposed to Fielder.
Baltimore was one of the few places that could afford Fielder and have a place for him to play in the field as opposed to designated hitter. With Davis on board, though, it looks like the Orioles are out on Fielder as well.
This was a very good trade for the Orioles, there’s no mistaking that. Having a hitter the caliber of Fielder would have been nice, though.
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