Orioles to Sign Outfielder Leody Taveras to One-Year Deal
The Baltimore Orioles have agreed to sign outfielder Leody Taveras to a one-year, $2 million contract, according to a source familiar with the deal. The contract is pending a physical and has not yet been officially announced.
Player Profile and Career Overview
Leody Taveras, 27, is known for his exceptional defensive skills and speed, qualities the Orioles need after a challenging season in the outfield. Taveras is a switch-hitter who has played six years in Major League Baseball since debuting with the Texas Rangers in 2020 at age 21.
Offensive Performance
Despite his defensive strengths, Taveras has struggled at the plate, holding a career batting average of .236 and a .651 OPS. He became a free agent in October after spending most of the 2025 season in the minor leagues.
2023 Season Highlights
Taveras was a key contributor to the Rangers' 2023 World Series run, posting his best major league numbers with a .266 batting average and a .733 OPS. The Rangers swept the Orioles in the American League Division Series that year.
Recent 2025 Season
- After a slow start in 2025, the Rangers designated Taveras for assignment in May.
- The Seattle Mariners also designated him for assignment in June.
- In 58 MLB games during 2025, he hit .205 with a .530 OPS.
- He performed better in Triple-A with a .280 average and .804 OPS.
"The agreement adds outfield depth and several traits needed by the Orioles." — Mike Rodriguez
This signing bolsters the Orioles’ defense while addressing areas of need in their outfield roster.
Author’s summary: The Orioles have signed defensively skilled outfielder Leody Taveras to strengthen their outfield, despite his offensive challenges and recent transitions between teams in 2025.