Royals trade Ryan O'Hearn to Orioles
The Kansas City Royals traded first baseman/outfielder Ryan O'Hearn to the Baltimore Orioles for cash considerations, the teams announced Tuesday.
We have acquired INF/OF Ryan O’Hearn from the Kansas City Royals in exchange for cash considerations.
— Baltimore Orioles (@Orioles) January 3, 2023
Welcome to #Birdland, Ryan! pic.twitter.com/RDpPdkIGFe
The Royals recently designated O'Hearn, 29, for assignment after he hit .239/.290/.321 with one homer and eight walks over 67 games last year.
Over parts of five seasons in the majors, O'Hearn possesses a .683 OPS (83 OPS+) with 38 dingers and 131 RBIs in 342 contests. He's primarily been stationed at first base but also plays right field and designated hitter.
The lefty slugger could act as platoon/bench help for either first baseman Ryan Mountcastle or left fielder Austin Hays. Hays managed well against right-handed pitchers last season, but Mountcastle was measurably better against lefties and posted a 97 wRC+ against same-handed hurlers.