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The Orioles have aquired Steve Pearce from the Rays in exchange for minor-league catcher Jonah Heim, according to Ken Rosenthal of Fox Sports. The trade was first reported by Jerry Crasnick of ESPN.
Steve Pearce headed back to #orioles, says source.
— Jerry Crasnick (@jcrasnick) August 1, 2016
Jonah Heim, heading from #Orioles to #Rays, is a Class A catcher.
— Ken Rosenthal (@Ken_Rosenthal) August 1, 2016
Pearce, 33, was a member of the Orioles from 2013-2015, and had a stint there in 2012, before signing with Tampa this winter.
With the Rays in 2016, Pearce has been a hitting machine, sporting a .309 batting average with a .388 on-base percentage, to go with 10 home runs and 29 RBI’s. He will cost $1.6 million for the rest of the season, plus his incentives, but is due to become a free agent again this winter.
Pearce brings some versatility back to the Orioles, having played DH, 3B, 1B and 2B during his time with the Rays this season, to go along with his previous experience in the outfield with the O’s.
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.