Orioles to Sign 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 negotiations. The agreement, first reported by Mike Rodriguez, is subject to a physical and has not yet been officially announced by the team.
Player Background
Taveras, 27, debuted in Major League Baseball with the Texas Rangers in 2020 at the age of 21. Over six seasons in the league, he has earned a reputation as an exceptional defensive player with notable speed and range in the outfield.
Career Performance
Despite his defensive strengths, Taveras has faced challenges at the plate, holding a career batting average of .236 and an OPS of .651. His standout performance came during the 2023 season when he helped the Rangers reach the World Series, hitting .266 with a .733 OPS. That same year, the Rangers swept the Orioles in the American League Division Series.
Recent Seasons
After a sluggish start in 2025, Taveras was designated for assignment by the Rangers in May and again by the Seattle Mariners in June. Across 58 major league games that season, he posted a .205 batting average and a .530 OPS. However, he fared better in Triple-A, hitting .280 with an .804 OPS for the Mariners’ affiliate. He elected free agency in October following that campaign.
Team Context
The Orioles, who lagged defensively last season, see Taveras as a valuable addition to strengthen their outfield depth and improve fielding performance.
“Leody Taveras is an elite defensive outfielder, which the Orioles need after a poor season with the gloves,” a source told The Baltimore Sun.
Author’s summary: Baltimore reinforces its outfield defense by reaching a one-year, $2 million agreement with the agile and defensively gifted Leody Taveras, pending a physical.