Aug. 1, 2016: C Jonah Heim to Tampa Bay Rays for 1B Steve Pearce

Grade: D

The Orioles’ reacquisition of Pearce last August — after letting him leave in free agency seven months earlier — was one of the stranger chapters in the Duquette era. It’s understandable that they wanted him back; Pearce was a fan favorite in Baltimore and was having a great season for the Rays (.309 average, .908 OPS, 10 homers and 29 RBIs in 60 games).

The odd part is that the Orioles acquired Pearce knowing he had injury problems that had prevented the Rays from playing him in the outfield all year — yet the O’s started him in right field in his third game back with the club. Sure enough, Pearce strained his flexor mass while making a throw from the outfield, then re-aggravated the injury later that year in another outfield start, requiring season-ending surgery. The Orioles’ handling of Pearce, and their acquisition of him knowing he was damaged goods, certainly raises some eyebrows.

Known for his advanced defense, Heim, 22, is hitting .239 with nine homers in the Low-A Midwest League.

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