Diamondbacks trade Blaze Alexander for reliever in deal with Orioles
The Diamondbacks traded infielder Blaze Alexander to the Baltimore Orioles on Thursday, Feb. 5, in exchange for right-handed reliever Kade Strowd and a pair of minor leaguers, a deal that represents the club’s biggest addition to its bullpen yet this winter.
Strowd, 28, enjoyed a strong debut in the big leagues last season, posting a 1.71 ERA in 25 games, allowing only one homer, walking 13 and striking out 24 in 26⅓ innings. He arrives in Arizona with six full years of club control.
Strowd, who averages 96 mph with his fastball, pitches predominantly off his cutter, a pitch he threw 41.1 percent of the time. He also throws a sinker, curveball and sweeper.
The Diamondbacks are also getting two prospects: right-hander Wellington Aracena and infielder Jose Mejia.
Houston Astros players Yuli Gurriel (10) , Carlos Beltran (15) and George Springer (4) celebrate after defeating the Los Angeles Dodgers in Game 7 of the 2017 World Series at Dodger Stadium. Beltran won his only World Series with the Astos.
Carlos Beltran celebrates after hitting a home run against the Atlanta Braves in Game 5 of the 2004 NLDS.
Carlos Beltran H celebrates after hitting a solo home run in the top of the ninth inning in Game 3 of the 2004 NLCS.
St. Louis Cardinals right fielder Carlos Beltran (back) steals second base against San Francisco Giants second baseman Marco Scutaro (front) during the first inning of Game 7 of the 2012 NLCS at AT&T Park on October. 22, 2012. Beltran finished his career with 312 stolen bases.
Carlos Beltran heads for first after he hit his 400th career home run in the seventh inning against the Chicago White Sox at Yankee Stadium on May 15, 2016 in the Bronx. Beltran would end his career with 435 home runs.
Know for power hitting and great defense, Andruw Jones best years were with the Atlanta Braves from 1996-2007.
Atlanta Braves player Andruw Jones watches his second home run fly out of the park in the third inning of Game One of the World Series against the New York Yankees at Yankee Stadium in New York 20 October. Jones, the youngest player to hit a home run in the World Series, had two home runs in his first two at bats. Jones was the youngest player to hit home run in postseason at age 19.
Andruw Jones of the Atlanta Braves looks on during a game against the Colorado Rockies at Coors Field in Denver, Colo. on Sept. 12, 1996. Andruw Jones played 17 seasons, primarily with the Atlanta Braves, from his debut in 1996 until his last MLB game in 2012, also playing for the Dodgers, Rangers, White Sox, and Yankees, before finishing his career in Japan in 2013.
Andruw Jones #25 is greeted by A.J. Pierzynski #12 and Mark Kotsay #7 of the Chicago White Sox at home plate after hitting Jones hit his 400th career home run in 2010.
Andruw Jones hits a home run during the fourth inning against the Boston Red Sox at Fenway Park on July 7, 2012. Jones was with the Yankees for two years hitting 27 home runs.
San Francisco Giant Jeff Kent pumps his fist after hitting a two-run home run against the Anaheim Angels in the sixth inning in Game 5 of the 2002 World Series.
Who's going to Cooperstown? See 2026 Baseball Hall of Fame inductees
Who's going to Cooperstown? See 2026 Baseball Hall of Fame inductees
Who's going to Cooperstown? See 2026 Baseball Hall of Fame inductees
Who's going to Cooperstown? See 2026 Baseball Hall of Fame inductees
Who's going to Cooperstown? See 2026 Baseball Hall of Fame inductees
Houston Astros players Yuli Gurriel (10) , Carlos Beltran (15) and George Springer (4) celebrate after defeating the Los Angeles Dodgers in Game 7 of the 2017 World Series at Dodger Stadium. Beltran won his only World Series with the Astos.
Who's going to Cooperstown? See 2026 Baseball Hall of Fame inductees
Carlos Beltran celebrates after hitting a home run against the Atlanta Braves in Game 5 of the 2004 NLDS.
Who's going to Cooperstown? See 2026 Baseball Hall of Fame inductees
Carlos Beltran H celebrates after hitting a solo home run in the top of the ninth inning in Game 3 of the 2004 NLCS.
Who's going to Cooperstown? See 2026 Baseball Hall of Fame inductees
Who's going to Cooperstown? See 2026 Baseball Hall of Fame inductees
Who's going to Cooperstown? See 2026 Baseball Hall of Fame inductees
St. Louis Cardinals right fielder Carlos Beltran (back) steals second base against San Francisco Giants second baseman Marco Scutaro (front) during the first inning of Game 7 of the 2012 NLCS at AT&T Park on October. 22, 2012. Beltran finished his career with 312 stolen bases.
Who's going to Cooperstown? See 2026 Baseball Hall of Fame inductees
Who's going to Cooperstown? See 2026 Baseball Hall of Fame inductees
Carlos Beltran heads for first after he hit his 400th career home run in the seventh inning against the Chicago White Sox at Yankee Stadium on May 15, 2016 in the Bronx. Beltran would end his career with 435 home runs.
Who's going to Cooperstown? See 2026 Baseball Hall of Fame inductees
Know for power hitting and great defense, Andruw Jones best years were with the Atlanta Braves from 1996-2007.
Who's going to Cooperstown? See 2026 Baseball Hall of Fame inductees
Atlanta Braves player Andruw Jones watches his second home run fly out of the park in the third inning of Game One of the World Series against the New York Yankees at Yankee Stadium in New York 20 October. Jones, the youngest player to hit a home run in the World Series, had two home runs in his first two at bats. Jones was the youngest player to hit home run in postseason at age 19.
Who's going to Cooperstown? See 2026 Baseball Hall of Fame inductees
Andruw Jones of the Atlanta Braves looks on during a game against the Colorado Rockies at Coors Field in Denver, Colo. on Sept. 12, 1996. Andruw Jones played 17 seasons, primarily with the Atlanta Braves, from his debut in 1996 until his last MLB game in 2012, also playing for the Dodgers, Rangers, White Sox, and Yankees, before finishing his career in Japan in 2013.
Who's going to Cooperstown? See 2026 Baseball Hall of Fame inductees
Who's going to Cooperstown? See 2026 Baseball Hall of Fame inductees
Who's going to Cooperstown? See 2026 Baseball Hall of Fame inductees
Who's going to Cooperstown? See 2026 Baseball Hall of Fame inductees
Andruw Jones #25 is greeted by A.J. Pierzynski #12 and Mark Kotsay #7 of the Chicago White Sox at home plate after hitting Jones hit his 400th career home run in 2010.
Who's going to Cooperstown? See 2026 Baseball Hall of Fame inductees
Andruw Jones hits a home run during the fourth inning against the Boston Red Sox at Fenway Park on July 7, 2012. Jones was with the Yankees for two years hitting 27 home runs.
Who's going to Cooperstown? See 2026 Baseball Hall of Fame inductees
Who's going to Cooperstown? See 2026 Baseball Hall of Fame inductees
Who's going to Cooperstown? See 2026 Baseball Hall of Fame inductees
Who's going to Cooperstown? See 2026 Baseball Hall of Fame inductees
Who's going to Cooperstown? See 2026 Baseball Hall of Fame inductees
Who's going to Cooperstown? See 2026 Baseball Hall of Fame inductees
Who's going to Cooperstown? See 2026 Baseball Hall of Fame inductees
Who's going to Cooperstown? See 2026 Baseball Hall of Fame inductees
San Francisco Giant Jeff Kent pumps his fist after hitting a two-run home run against the Anaheim Angels in the sixth inning in Game 5 of the 2002 World Series.
Who's going to Cooperstown? See 2026 Baseball Hall of Fame inductees
Who's going to Cooperstown? See 2026 Baseball Hall of Fame inductees
In exchange, the Diamondbacks had to part with Alexander, who had a breakout second half after taking over at third base following the trade deadline. He hit .230/.323/.383 with seven homers while playing excellent defense at third base.
Alexander became somewhat expendable after the Diamondbacks acquired third baseman Nolan Arenado in a deal with the St. Louis Cardinals last month. The Diamondbacks still have infield depth in the form of Jordan Lawlar .
This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Diamondbacks trade Blaze Alexander for reliever in deal with Orioles
