Tim Beckham looks forward to "new beginning" with Orioles

Just over 24 hours after the Orioles acquired Tim Beckham from the Rays, he will make his Orioles debut at shortstop, batting sixth.

He joins a team that added at the trade deadline and is still gunning for a playoff spot despite being 4 ½ games back of the second American League wild card and 6 ½ games out in the AL East race.

"I love it. Love it man," Beckham said in his first press session as an Oriole. "That is what we play the game for. To compete and win every game we touch the field. I want to win and I'm sure everyone in the clubhouse feels the same. We have a losing record and there is some work to be done. I'm looking forward to it.

"It's been fun the past couple of years playing against these guys and playing against that infield and watching (Manny) Machado and (Jonathan) Schoop work. It's impressive. A good group to be a part of and I'm ready to get after it."

Under team control through 2020 and with two minor league options still remaining, Beckham, 27, was batting .259/.314/.407 with five doubles, three triples, 12 home runs and 36 RBIs in 87 games with Tampa Bay. His playing time at shortstop lessened after the Rays acquired Adeiny Hechavarria from the Marlins. Beckham is a career .247/.299/.407 hitter in parts of four seasons.

"I feel pretty confident hitting in this park," he said, despite a career .229 batting average at Oriole Park in 38 plate appearances. "I've had good success in the past coming here and hitting here. I look forward to getting here every day and playing home games at Camden Yards."

Orioles executive vice president Dan Duquette said he feels Beckham is starting to come into his own as a hitter. Beckham feels he has made some strides.

"As far as just getting in there and playing every day," Beckham said. "Getting the everyday repetitions and being able to make adjustments day-to-day. That is what the game of baseball is about. As far as me being confident in my hitting ability and what I can do at the plate, it is definitely there. I know what I can do and I know I can help this club win some games."

Beckham has made 114 career starts at shortstop and 55 at second base, but said he feels short is his best position. Now he joins an Orioles infield that takes great pride in defense.

"Oh yeah. I definitely feel like I can help in that category as well," he said. "I mean we had a pretty good defensive squad in Tampa. But I'm here in Baltimore now. It's a new chapter, a new beginning and I'm looking forward to it."

Beckham said as the trade deadline approached, he wasn't thinking about it very much.

"I was focused on the season, man," he said. "Focused on going into work every day, day in and day out. I wasn't really trying to get caught up in the trade talk. There was talk around the locker room. But I didn't really entertain it as much. But here I am today, so I'm ready to help Baltimore win some games."

Beckham said he admired the Orioles the last few seasons from the other dugout.

"They come to compete, man," he said. "They're a very competitive team. And they can definitely swing the bat and hit the ball around the ballpark. It's going to be fun. You've got Zach Britton closing games out and Brad Brach at the back end, so I'm anxious to see what we can do as a club. I'm ready to get after it and looking forward to it."