In the world of Major League Baseball trades, the old saying "you can't judge a deal too early" exists for a reason—but that's never stopped us from taking a closer look. Back on February 5th, 2026, Arizona Diamondbacks GM Mike Hazen made a move that sent fan favorite infielder Blaze Alexander to the Baltimore Orioles. In return, the D-backs received relief pitcher Kade Strowd, along with two minor league prospects: right-hander Wellington Aracena and infielder Jose Mejia. While it's far too soon to declare a winner or loser, let's dive into the early returns.

Blaze Alexander has suited up for 36 games with the Orioles, and he's been putting in work all over the diamond—everywhere except catcher, first base, and pitcher. That versatility, however, has come at a cost. His defensive metrics have taken a noticeable hit, with his Fangraphs Def stat (which accounts for positional adjustments) dropping from a solid +2.7 with the Diamondbacks in 2025 to a concerning -2.7 in 2026. Breaking it down by position, Alexander remains an above-average fielder at third base and holds his own in the corner outfield spots. But anywhere else? He's well below average, and that's a problem when you're trying to carve out a role.

Unfortunately, the bat hasn't picked up the slack. Through his first 100 plate appearances, Alexander is hitting just .244/.299/.289, with a 70 wRC+ and 69 OPS+. His .271 wOBA tells a similar story, and when you combine that with the defensive struggles, his season value sits at -0.1 fWAR. That's not the start anyone hoped for.

But it's not all bad news. There are some encouraging signs beneath the surface. Alexander is actually hitting the ball harder than ever, with a max exit velocity 2.2 MPH higher than his previous career best. His expected stats—.306 xwOBA, .281 xBA, and .350 xSLG—suggest he's been a bit unlucky. If the Orioles can settle him into a defensive home where he feels comfortable, there's real potential for a turnaround.

On the other side of the trade, Kade Strowd was assigned to the Diamondbacks' Triple-A affiliate, the Reno Aces, after failing to make the MLB roster out of spring training. So far, he's been a bright spot in the bullpen. Over 14 appearances, Strowd has posted a sharp 2.40 ERA, showing the kind of effectiveness that could earn him a call-up sooner rather than later. With both sides still finding their footing, this trade is far from settled—but the early innings have been fascinating to watch.