Padres acquire 3B Miguel Tejada for minor league pitcher

In a move to bolster their lineup, the San Diego Padres acquired third baseman Miguel Tejada and cash from the Baltimore Orioles for minor league pitcher Wynn Pelzer.

It's no question that Miggy's best days are behind him. A home-grown player out of the Oakland Athletics' organization, Tejada was the 2002 American League MVP with the Athletics after posting a line of .308/.354/.508, 34 home runs, 131 RBIs, and 204 hits in all 162 games played. Tejada hit 30 or more home runs from 2000-2002 before ending his streak with 27 in 2003. 2004 was one of Tejada's best seasons, as he again hit 34 home runs and sported a .311 average while driving in 150 RBIs in his first year with the Baltimore Orioles after signing a six-year, $72 million deal in the off-season. Tejada continued to prove he was worth the contract, hitting 26 home runs with a .304 average and 98 RBIs in 2005 and then 24 home runs and .330 average with 100 RBIs in 2006. Tejada, a durable player, was injured for part of the 2007 season, ending his streak of 162 games every season (1,151 games) from 2001-2006. Nonetheless, he produced upon his return, hitting .296 with 18 home runs and 81 RBIs in 133 games.

2007 was Tejada's last season in Baltimore, as he was traded to the Houston Astros during the off-season. Tejada had a tough time adjusting to spacious Minute Maid Park in Houston, hitting just .283 with 13 home runs and 66 RBIs for the season while making the NL All-Star team. He rebounded in 2009, hitting .313 with 14 home runs and 86 RBIs.

The Astros allowed Tejada to walk as a free agent after the 2009 season, allowing Tejada to sign a 1-year, $6 million contract with the Orioles. The Orioles moved Tejada to third base due to his declining range, aging, and 21 errors at shortstop the year prior. Never a great defensive shortstop, Tejada was always highly regarded for his bat. This season however, Tejada has struggled at the plate, posting just a .269 average with 7 home runs and 39 RBIs in 97 games for the Orioles while playing adjusting to third base. It's true that learning a new position could be affecting Tejada's focus on hitting, but this could prove to be one of his worst career seasons.

Now 36, Tejada's best days seem to be numbered. He's been no stranger to scandal, as he was proved guilty of lying about his age after signing his first professional contract with the A's in 1993. Tejada said he was born in 1976, but he was actually two years older and born in 1974. In Jose Canseco's tell-all book about performance enhancing drugs in baseball, he cited Tejada as a steroid user. Tejada told Congress in 2005 that he had never used PEDs. In 2006, relief pitcher Jason Grimsley told federal agents that Tejada was a user of anabolic steroids. He was mentioned as a steroid user in the 2007 Mitchell Report and was then placed under investigation in 2008 for his truthfulness. In 2009, Tejada pleaded guilty to charges with lying before Congress in 2005 about using PEDs and was sentenced to up to 1-year in federal prison and deportation. The punishment was lowered to one-year probation. Tejada is an admitted steroid user.

Still a fine player, Tejada, a six-time All-Star, should help the Padres offensively. Currently in first place in the NL West, the Padres are looking to bolster their lineup to lock up the division. Tejada is a great addition and is a Type-B free agent after the season. Hopefully, a change of scenery can turn around Tejada's season and revert him to his 2009 form. He's still a great hitter.

In return, the Padres will send young pitcher Wynn Pelzer to Baltimore. Pelzer, 24, the Padres' 8th round selection in the 2007 draft, is a right handed pitcher. He's struggled in the minor leagues, posting a 6-9 record with a 4.20 ERA this season in Double-AA. He was ranked the Padres' seventh best prospect by BaseballAmerica. He is a power pitcher and has a fastball that can reach the mid-90's. An inconsistent starter, Pelzer could eventually be a relief or closing pitcher for the Orioles' rebuilding effort.

This was a win-win for both teams. The Padres acquire a major upgrade at the hot corner with a power bat. It's still possible that Tejada could return to his 2009 form, but given his age, it could be unlikely. Regardless, it's still a great pickup by the Padres. The Orioles get a young power pitcher for Tejada in return who could be their future closer. It doesn't get much better than that.