Orioles trade for Scott Feldman

The Orioles are making a play for the postseason, executing the first trade ahead of the July 31 trade deadline to acquire right-hander Scott Feldman from the Cubs.

The Birds, currently second place in the American League East, also brought catcher Steve Clevenger to Baltimore in exchange for pitchers Jake Arrieta and Pedro Strop.

“I think when you have a number of players who are having a good year like we are, you have to address the needs of the ballclub and put your focus on this year’s club,” Orioles executive vice president Dan Duquette said. “And this year’s ballclub needs more stable starting pitching, and that’s what this trade is designed to address.”

Feldman, who is 30, will become a free agent at the end of the season. He holds a 46-50 lifetime record with a 4.66 ERA in eight seasons with the Texas Rangers and Chicago this year.

His career performance at Baltimore is better: his ERA drops to 2.49 and he holds a 3-0 record at Camden Yard.

“He’s a proven veteran starting pitcher, and he’s pitched very well in this ballpark,” Duquette said. “He’s pitched in the postseason, he won 17 games once and he is on his way to having a good year this season.”

Feldman also spent two seasons pitching for now-Orioles manager Buck Showalter, who helmed the Rangers from 2003 to 2006.

Clevenger will head to Baltimore's Triple-A Norfolk, as the Orioles already boast two catchers on the depth chart. The 27-year-old was drafted in 2006 by the Cubs and played his Major League debut at the end of 2011.