According to the Baltimore Sun, the Astros have acquired Miguel Tejada from the Orioles for outfielder Luke Scott, pitchers Matt Albers, Troy Patton and Dennis Sarfate, and third baseman Michael Costanzo.
Five players for Tejada? It's an interesting group, but the only particularly valuable property is Patton, a left-hander whose stock has dropped a bit over the last year. He projects as a third or fourth starter, though he's not ready yet. Scott should start over Jay Payton in left field, at least against righties, but he may not be more than a one- or two-year solution. Albers has fourth-starter potential, but he belongs in the pen right now, as he's primarily a two-pitch pitcher. Sarfate, a waiver claim from the Brewers, emerged as a viable late-game relief candidate at the end of last season. However, he has a long history of command problems. Costanzo was the strikeout-prone third base prospect the Astros picked up from the Phillies in the Brad Lidge deal. Overall, we'd say the Orioles got back about what they should have. That said, they'd be fortunate if more than one player from this group was a key player next time they're in a position to win 85-90 games.