Diamondbacks Acquire Kade Strowd, Wellington Aracena, José Mejía for Blaze Alexander
The Arizona Diamondbacks have traded infielder Blaze Alexander to the Baltimore Orioles in exchange for right-handed pitchers Kade Strowd and Wellington Aracena and infielder José Mejía, the teams announced.
The Trade
What the Diamondbacks Get
Kade Strowd is a 27-year-old right-hander who made his MLB debut with the Orioles in May 2025. He was added to Baltimore's 40-man roster in November 2024 and appeared in 5 games last season with a 2.84 ERA over 6.1 innings. Drafted in the 12th round (348th overall) in 2019 out of West Virginia, Strowd features a mid-to-upper-90s fastball, sinker, cutter, curveball, and sweeper—a multi-pitch arsenal that has worked well in relief. Wellington Aracena is a 20-year-old right-hander ranked as the Orioles' No. 22 prospect in 2026. Born in the Dominican Republic, he stands 6-foot-3 and touches 101 mph with his fastball. In 2025 he posted a 2.25 ERA with 114 strikeouts in 92 innings across three minor league levels. Scouts grade his fastball as a 70; his control remains a work in progress, but his high-90s heater and cutter give him back-end starter or late-inning reliever upside. José Mejía is a 20-year-old infielder who can play shortstop, second base, third base, and first base. Signed by the Orioles as a free agent in January 2023, he hit .300/.410/.823 with 2 homers, 19 RBIs, and 28 stolen bases in 150 at-bats in 2024. He brings athleticism, versatility, and on-base skills to the Diamondbacks' system.
What the Orioles Get
Blaze Alexander is a 26-year-old utility infielder drafted by the Diamondbacks in the 11th round (339th overall) in 2018. He can play shortstop, second base, and third base, with above-average speed and arm strength. He made the Diamondbacks' Opening Day roster in 2024 and has maintained an above-.800 OPS in the minors. Alexander was caught in a crowded Arizona infield with Jordan Lawlar, Geraldo Perdomo, and the acquisition of Nolan Arenado in January 2026—moving to Baltimore gives him a clearer path to playing time.
Bottom Line
Arizona adds pitching depth (Strowd with MLB experience, Aracena with high ceiling) and infield versatility (Mejía) in exchange for Alexander. Baltimore acquires a major-league-ready infielder who can compete for at-bats at multiple positions. A classic prospect-for-depth swap with both sides addressing roster needs. Browse the marketplace to see how this trade might affect player values on AthX. *Sources: MLB.com, Baseball-Reference, Baseball America, Arizona Sports, Camden Chat, Baltimore Baseball. Fact-checked February 5, 2026.*