Orioles to Sign Outfielder Leody Taveras to One-Year Deal
Outfielder Leody Taveras is set to join the Baltimore Orioles, according to Jon Heyman of the New York Post, who credited Mike Rodriguez for breaking the news. The contract is reportedly a one-year, $2 million agreement.
Taveras was designated for assignment by Seattle in mid-June, subsequently clearing waivers and being sent outright to Triple-A Tacoma. Earlier, the Mariners had claimed him off waivers from Texas in early May. A few weeks ago, Taveras elected free agency.
Career Overview
Taveras spent his first five major league seasons with the Texas Rangers. He debuted in 2020 in a part-time role. Although his offensive numbers were modest in the beginning, he contributed strong center field defense and base running speed.
- Increased playing time in 2022 with 143 games
- From 2020 to 2022, totaled 660 plate appearances
- In 2023, logged 554 plate appearances, hitting 14 home runs with 14 stolen bases and slashing .266/.312/.421
2024 Performance and Contract Status
Taveras kept a significant role in 2024 but struggled offensively, posting an 84 wRC+ over 529 plate appearances. He set a career high with 23 stolen bases but hit just .229. He qualified for arbitration before the 2024 season due to his Super Two status.
He and the Rangers agreed to a $4.75 million deal for 2025. However, luxury tax concerns led to trade rumors. Texas retained him despite his offensive decline, where he finished slashing .241/.259/ (incomplete data).
“The strong 2023 helped Taveras maintain a large role in 2024, though he fell off as a hitter.”
Author's summary: Leody Taveras, known for his defense and speed, is signing a one-year deal with the Orioles after several years with the Rangers and a recent decline in batting performance.