Orioles center fielder Adam Jones appreciated the moves the Orioles made in the last two days, trading for left-handed pitcher Wade Miley and reacquiring infielder/outfielder Steve Pearce.
"It means the front office understands that we have something good on the field and a good product, and they want to improve it," Jones said. "That is what the trade deadline is. Cool part is we still have another 30 days with the waiver wire, you know there is still time for things to happen.
"It is better to be a buyer than a seller. When you buy, it gives your players a sense that our front office is trying to improve us and trying to see we have something special here. I think the last five years here we proved to our front office that we have a formidable team on the field. Sometimes we just need a little push and we got a little push right now. Let's see how that runs out the next six or eight weeks and into October."
Jones believes both players will have a positive impact.
"I think they are two veteran guys that understand what it takes at this level and what we need from their contributions," he said. "Two guys that understand the grit and fight of the dog days of August that we're in now. We welcome them both with open arms."
Here is O's executive vice-president Dan Duquette on bringing Pearce back to the team: "I think this is our fifth time together where we've parted and come back to the Orioles. Having a terrific year in Tampa. He gives us excellent defense, good on-base, excellent power when he's in the game, and when he's not in the game, he gives us a strong bench. We're glad to have him back. These are two workman-type players, guys that like to grind it out in the American League East."
Pearce, who was acquired from the Tampa Bay Rays for minor league catcher Jonah Heim, was batting .309 with 11 doubles, a triple, 10 homers and 29 RBIs. He has a .388 on-base percentage, a .520 slugging percentage and an OPS of .908 in 60 games and 232 plate appearances.
"Very excited (to be back)," Pearce said at a Camden Yards press conference this afternoon. "We were struggling down in Florida. So to come to first place, I'm definitely in a better situation. I'm excited, especially with the group that is in there, been playing with those guys forever. I'm ready to pick up where we left off and pave our way towards the playoffs.
"I played with these guys a long time. They're excited, I'm excited. I heard the news yesterday and it was great news. I was here a long time. After a while, your teammates become friends and family, so definitely excited to see these guys."
Pearce went through an anxious time just over 24 hours ago as he waited to see if he would, in fact, be traded by the 4 p.m. ET deadline on Monday.
"Definitely was (an anxious time). I was looking to get some work in and take the field. You know we are not ignorant to it. I was just waiting for it to be all over to tell you the truth. So I can start getting focused on what I need to do."
After playing over parts of four seasons as an Oriole, from 2012-2015, this year Pearce played against the Orioles and saw them from the opposing dugout.
"Good offense, same team," he said of this year's Orioles club. "These guys are good, they've always been good. I know the battles between Tampa Bay and the Orioles have always been epic. So I know what they're capable of doing. They're a potent ballclub and just happy to be a part of it now. I'm in a good situation, playing meaningful baseball. That is what we want to do. This is a tough division with a lot of teams competing for the playoffs."
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