Baltimore Orioles Trade Miguel Tejada

Baltimore finally pulled the trigger and sent Miguel Tejada away. In a big trade today, Tejada went to Houston for five players. Keith Law, who is always excellent with analysis of personnel and how teams fared with their trades, outlined what Baltimore received for their days work.

Law wasn't very high on how much the Astros benefited from the trade. He gave them two games at best for improvement from the deal. I think it will depend on if Tejada, in a new atmosphere, will revive his career and return to the kind of form that previously made him part of the Jeter/Garciaparra/Tejada debate during the 1990s. If he does come to Houston with new life and new enthusiasm, the Astros could benefit much more than two games.

Law also pointed out that with Tejada, Houston will probably non-tender Adam Everett, one of the best fielding shortstops in baseball. Everett has had a couple of really awful years at the plate. I would keep Everett, bat him eighth and move Tejada to third. Tejada doesn't want to move from shortstop, but a few million in the bank and an escape from Baltimore might change his mind. Tejada at third is a much better deal than as a shortstop.

Tejada also gives protection to Lance Berkman and Carlos Lee, giving the Astros a potent middle of the lineup. I think this is a better deal for the Astros than Law allows, but time will tell.