The Orioles have traded RHP Ross Wolf to the Oakland A’s for 3B Jake Fox and optioned RHP Chris Tillman to AAA Norfolk. RHP Cla Meredith was designated for assignment to make room on the 40 man roster.

I like this trade because it likely spells the end of 1B Garrett Atkins’ tenure with the club at some point in the near future. I’m not sure why the Orioles didn’t just go ahead and release Atkins today as he is useless to the club. But I’m guessing he’ll be gone by Saturday when Brad Bergesen will be recalled from AAA Norfolk to make the start. With Chris Tillman being sent down that is now a certainty. Tillman struggled very badly in two of his four starts and they’d rather him pitch every five days in AAA than rot in the major league bullpen not seeing any action. Ross Wolf is just a minor league filler with not much major league future at 27 years old so hes not much of a loss. Frank Mata will soon be back in Norfolk to take his place in their bullpen. Wolf had a 2.11 ERA over 38 innings with 26 strikeouts and 15 walks.

Jake Fox struggled this year with the A’s after they traded for him in the offseason. In spare playing time over 98 at bats he hit .214/.264/.327 with 5 doubles, 2 homeruns, and 12 RBI. Thats not good but hes hit very well in his minor league career and has plenty of pop. Last year he hit .409/.495/.841 over 164 at bats with 14 doubles, 3 triples, 17 homeruns, and 53 RBI for AAA Iowa. He was promoted to the Chicago Cubs and proceeded to hit .259/.311/.468 with 12 doubles, 11 homeruns, and 44 RBI over 216 at bats, so there is enough evidence to suggest that he will produce better than he has at this point in the season. Hes 27 years old and can play multiple positions including third base, first base, catcher, and left field. Hes not going to turn us around or anything but its nice to finally see Andy MacPhail go outside of the organization and address our obvious shortcomings. Fox will be in uniform tonight when the Orioles play the Florida Marlins at Camden Yards.