SAN DIEGO — The NL West-leading San Diego Padres obtained infielder Miguel Tejada and just more than $1 million from the Baltimore Orioles on Thursday, convinced that the 36-year-old can help them in the infield and at the plate.
The Padres gave up Double-A right-hander Wynn Pelzer.
"It's a good chance at being in the playoffs and that's always good," Tejada said in Kansas City, where he was scratched from the Orioles lineup before Thursday night's game against the Royals. "I think we can have a chance to win."
Tejada, the 2002 AL MVP, hasn't been to the playoffs since the Oakland A's made four straight appearances from 2000-03, losing in the divisional round each year. The Padres are trying to win their first division title since winning consecutive championships in 2005-06.
"This move was made because we feel it makes us better," Padres general manager Jed Hoyer said. "It gives us a player in several positions and it gives us a veteran leader."
Hoyer envisions Tejada playing some at third base, where Chase Headley has struggled against left-handed pitching, and at shortstop, as well as coming off the bench.
He has appeared in 93 games in the field this season, all at third base, after having played shortstop in each of his previous 1,846 games.
"My role is always to be an infielder. I think they know what I can do," Tejada said.
"He'll move around for us," Hoyer said. "Part of our strength this year is having a good 25-man roster, not just having a good starting lineup. I think he'll play a lot, but it will be in different spots. It makes us better."
Tejada is hitting .269 with seven homers and 39 RBIs, down from the .313 he hit with Houston last year.
"I think he still has a lot to bring. He's still a tough out," Hoyer said. "We're hoping that getting him in a pennant race and getting him on a winning team can energize him."
In 18 interleague games this year, Tejada hit .346 with one homer, eight RBIs and 10 runs scored.
Tejada said it was "an honor to go to play where they want me. But I'm sad because I've loved being here. I've been here a long time and it's like my home. I love being here with these guys. I'm sad but I know this game is a business."
Tejada signed a $72 million, six-year contract with the Orioles in December 2003, playing in Baltimore until being traded to Houston in December 2007 for five players.
A six-time All-Star and two-time Silver Slugger Award winner, Tejada rejoined the Orioles in January, signing a $6 million, one-year contract.
Pelzer was San Diego's ninth-round pick in the 2007 amateur draft. He was 6-9 with a 4.20 ERA at San Antonio this season, and has gone 26-23 with a 3.83 ERA in parts of three seasons.
The Padres went into Thursday's schedule with a three-game lead over the San Francisco Giants.