The Orioles completed a trade with the Philadelphia Phillies, acquiring designated hitter Jim Thome for two minor leaguers, right-handed pitcher Kyle Simon and catcher Gabriel Lino. Thome didn't play during the Phillies' 3-2 loss to the Miami Marlins on Saturday.

Thome is one of the modern era's best sluggers and is more of a candidate for the designated hitter spot. His 609 career home runs are tied with Sammy Sosa for seventh place in MLB history.

During the 67 games Thome has played at Camden Yards, he has hit 18 home runs, including two that landed on Eutaw Street. Thome had five home runs this season for the Phillies, as well as 15 RBIs and a .242 batting average.

Simon was the Orioles' 2011 fourth-round draft pick and held a 2-8 record and a 3.96 ERA during his 14 starts for the Frederick Keys this season. The Orioles signed Lino as a non-drafted free agent in December 2009. He had a .218 batting average during 56 games played for the Delmarva Shorebirds this season.

The Orioles designated left-handed pitcher Zach Phillips for assignment in order to open up a spot for Thome on the 40-man roster. Phillips had made only one appearance for the Orioles this season, allowing two earned runs and three hits in two-thirds of an inning.

Posted June 30, 2012