Tampa Bay Rays Trade Tim Beckham to the Baltimore Orioles

The Tampa Bay Rays pulled off a trade in the final minutes of the non-waiver trade deadline sending Tim Beckham to the Baltimore Orioles.

Nothing like waiting to the final minutes of the non-waiver trade deadline to make a deal which is exactly what the Tampa Bay Rays did when they sent infielder Tim Beckham to the Baltimore Orioles for minor league pitcher Tobias Myers.

Hoping to obtain another reliever for the bullpen or a right-handed bat, the Rays fell short in that category though they were able to trade Beckham who more or less became expendable when the Rays acquired Adeiny Hechavarria and with the activation of Brad Miller off the disabled list.

The Rays were listening to offers for Beckham and Miller, since they had one second baseman too many and with the season that Beckham is having, plus his salary and that he is under team control for three more years he would be the most appealing.

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Selected in the 2008 draft with the first overall pick, Beckham’s career has never taken off nor has he lived up to the expectations that would be associated with a number one pick.

His career has been saddled with drug suspensions and numerous injuries that delayed his MLB debut to 2013, playing in just five games.

It would not be until 2015 when Beckham would make his first Opening Day roster.

At the end of last August, the Rays optioned Beckham to Durham after consecutive base running blunders along with numerous indecisive lapses. When the rosters expanded in September, Beckham was not among the players called up leading to speculation that his days as a Rays were over.

Starting the 2017 season as the everyday shortstop as a stopgap until Matt Duffy would return from his off-season heel surgery turned into full-time job for Beckham.  However, his defense was unpredictable from game to game as evident by his nine errors (SS) along with mental miscues and decision making on the diamond which were becoming more obvious as the season went on.

From the offensive side, Beckham was having a solid season thus far, hitting a career high .259 with a career high 12 home runs in 345 plate appearances. His 36 RBIs are one short of his career high set in 2016.  In his career, all with the Rays Beckham’s line stands at .247/.299/.421 with 26 home runs, 90 RBIs, 12 triples, 24 doubles, 246 strikeouts and 10 stolen bases in 725 at-bats in 238 games.

Baltimore selected Myers in the sixth round of the 2016 draft out of Winter Haven H.S. in Winter Haven, Fl. The 18-year-old was pitching for the Aberdeen Iron Birds, the Orioles Class-A affiliate where he was 2-2 with a 3.94 ERA in seven starts. Although he is a few years away from the major leagues, he has a very good upside as his 35:6 K:BB in just 29 innings thus far is attractive.

Next: Beckham's Last Opportunity

Taking Beckham’s spot on the roster is Taylor Featherston who was recalled from Triple-A Durham and is expected to join the Rays in time for tonight’s game in Houston.