Orioles to Sign Outfielder Leody Taveras to One-Year Deal
Outfielder Leody Taveras is set to join the Baltimore Orioles on a one-year contract worth $2 million, according to Jon Heyman of the New York Post, who credited Mike Rodriguez with first reporting the deal.
Taveras was designated for assignment by the Seattle Mariners in mid-June. After clearing waivers, he was sent outright to Triple-A Tacoma. The Mariners had acquired him from the Texas Rangers via waiver claim in early May. A few weeks ago, Taveras chose free agency.
He spent five major league seasons with the Rangers, making his debut in 2020 in a part-time role. Though his first three seasons at the plate were underwhelming, he was recognized for solid center field defense and speed on the bases.
In 2023, Taveras took on a larger role, playing in 143 games and increasing his plate appearances to 554. He hit 14 home runs, stole 14 bases, and posted a slash line of .266/.312/.421.
His strong 2023 performance helped him maintain a regular spot in 2024, although his hitting declined, resulting in an 84 wRC+ over 529 plate appearances. Despite this, he set a career-high with 23 stolen bases, but his batting average dropped to .229.
Before the 2024 season, Taveras qualified for arbitration due to his Super Two status. He and the Rangers agreed to a $4.75 million deal for 2025, but luxury tax concerns led to trade speculation. Texas retained him, but he struggled offensively.
“Taveras cratered at the plate, slashing .241/.259/.”
Summary: Leody Taveras, known for his defensive skills and base-stealing, is signing a one-year, $2 million contract with the Orioles after a challenging offensive stretch with the Mariners and Rangers.
Would you like the summary to be more formal or conversational?