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Orioles Make A Puzzling Move After Acquiring A First Baseman

Originally posted on The Cold Wire | By Curt Bishop | Last updated 1/5/23

The Baltimore Orioles were expected to be big spenders this offseason.

But up to this point, the most significant moves they have made were for pitchers Kyle Gibson and Mychal Givens and second baseman Adam Frazier.

The moves should improve the team, but they aren’t the marquee moves we were led to believe would happen.

On Tuesday, the Orioles acquired first baseman and outfielder Ryan O’Hearn from the Kansas City Royals after they had designated Lewin Diaz for assignment at the end of December.

However today, the Orioles designated O’Hearn for assignment and reclaimed Diaz, who had been designated for assignment by the Atlanta Braves.

Just a day after the #Orioles trade for 1B Ryan O'Hearn from the #Royals, they now designate him for assignment after claiming infielder Lewin Diaz from Atlanta.

— Bob Nightengale (@BNightengale) January 5, 2023

The Orioles have made a puzzling decision.

They traded for O’Hearn after they had designated Diaz for assignment, but it appears that they have had a change of heart about Diaz, and nobody is sure as to why.

Now, O’Hearn may be on the move again, just a few days after being acquired from the Royals.

There could be some takers for the veteran first baseman, teams that could be looking for a left-handed bat.

The supply is thin, so this could ultimately work in O’Hearn’s favor.

The St. Louis Cardinals have a need for a lefty bat with Corey Dickerson now a free agent.

It could be an under-the-radar type move for any team that chooses to take a chance on O’Hearn.

But for now, everyone is confused as to why the Orioles let go of Diaz and went for O’Hearn, only for Diaz to be reclaimed and for O’Hearn to then be designated for assignment.

This article first appeared on The Cold Wire and was syndicated with permission.

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