Orioles Secure Leody Taveras Signing

Basio badr

ago 4 hours

Outfielder Leody Taveras is set to join the Baltimore Orioles, according to reports by Jon Heyman of the New York Post. Initial reports of the signing came from Mike Rodriguez. Taveras was recently designated for assignment by the Seattle Mariners and cleared waivers, leading to his return to Triple-A Tacoma.

Background on Leody Taveras

Taveras began his major league career with the Texas Rangers in 2020. During his first three seasons, he struggled offensively but showcased strong defensive skills in center field and provided notable speed on the basepaths.

Performance Overview

Debuted in 2020 with the Rangers.
Appeared in 143 games in 2021.
From 2020 to 2022, he had 660 plate appearances.
In 2023, Taveras achieved 554 plate appearances, hitting 14 home runs and stealing 14 bases.
His batting slash line was .266/.312/.421.

Despite a solid 2023 season, Taveras’s performance declined in 2024. He recorded an 84 wRC+ over 529 plate appearances and managed a batting average of just .229. Nevertheless, he stole a career-high 23 bases.

Contract and Trade Rumors

Taveras qualified for arbitration for the 2024 season, having a Super Two status. He earned $2.55 million in 2024, and he and the Rangers agreed to a $4.75 million deal for the 2025 season. However, trade rumors emerged due to luxury tax implications. Ultimately, Texas retained him, but he struggled at the plate, posting a .241/.259/.342 slash line in 30 games.

Brief Stint with the Mariners

After joining the Mariners, Taveras continued to face challenges, managing only a .174 average over 98 plate appearances. The Orioles now plan to utilize him as potential depth in center field.

Outfield Prospects for Baltimore

Tyler O’Neill is expected to return to the Orioles, with potential competition from players such as Colton Cowser, Dylan Beavers, and Dylan Carlson for outfield positions. Although Taveras had underwhelming statistics this past season according to Statcast’s Fielding Run Value, the Orioles view him as a possible reliable defensive option.