O's introduce Miley, welcome back Pearce

August 2nd, 2016

BALTIMORE -- The Orioles unveiled their Trade Deadline acquisitions, left-handed pitcher and infielder/outfielder , on Tuesday afternoon, introducing a pair Baltimore hopes can aid in its push for the American League East title.
"[Miley is] a workhorse," executive vice president of baseball operations Dan Duquette said. "He's pitched over 200 innings a few times, excellent command of four pitches, he's got a good pickoff move. And he loves to compete. We hope he helps stabilize our pitching rotation and is a key piece we hope to help us advance to the playoffs."
O's acquire Miley from Mariners to boost rotation
"Steve Pearce -- [I] think this is our fifth time together, where he's parted and come back to the Orioles. [He] had a terrific year in Tampa; we are glad to have him back. He gives us excellent defense, power when he's in the game. And when he's not in the game, he gives us a real strong bench."
The players, activated for Tuesday's series opener vs. Texas, gives the O's a four-man bench. Pitchers and were optioned to Triple-A Norfolk to create roster spots.

"Obviously I struggled earlier in the year, but when I first found out [about the trade], I was excited," said Miley, who was acquired from Seattle for pitching prospect . "Going from a third-place team to a first-place team overnight -- there's nothing wrong with that. So hopefully, I just come in here and not screw that up."
Miley is 7-8 with a 4.98 ERA in 19 starts this season for the Mariners. But he had a solid July, posting a 3.45 ERA and four quality starts in his five outings.
"We needed a left-handed pitcher to complement our rotation. And Wade's a workhorse. He's pitched in the American League effectively. He's got all the qualities to help our club, and not just for this year, for next year," Duquette said of Miley, who is under team control through 2017 and has an option the following year. "We've liked his skills for a while, going back to the first Winter Meetings. We tried to acquire him in a trade with Arizona. And he had a terrific year. He was, like, second in Rookie of the Year and made the All-Star team, and he's had some good years since then. He's got some more good baseball ahead of him, and I think there's a good fit here and a good opportunity to help our club."
Pearce will also get an opportunity to help the Orioles, and he is expected to see some outfield time, platooning with and sharing the designated hitter spot with . The O's are batting just .236 off of lefties this year, and Pearce's right-handed bat could give them a boost.
Versatile Pearce returns to O's in deal with Rays
"I'm excited, especially with the group that's in there right now," said Pearce, who was part of the Orioles' 2014 playoff team. "I've been playing with those guys forever, so I'm looking forward to picking up where we left off and paving our way toward the playoffs."
Pearce, acquired from last-place Tampa Bay in exchange for catching prospect Johan Heim, has a .258/.338/.478 line with 43 homers and 116 RBIs in four seasons with Baltimore.
"These guys are good. They've always been good," Pearce said of watching the O's from afar this season. "The battles between Tampa Bay and the Orioles have always been epic. I know what they are capable of doing. They are a potent ballclub, and I'm just happy to be a part of them."