Orioles to Sign Outfielder Leody Taveras to One-Year Contract
The Baltimore Orioles have agreed to a one-year, $2 million contract with outfielder Leody Taveras, according to a source familiar with the deal. The agreement is pending a physical and has not yet been officially announced by the Orioles.
Player Profile and Experience
Leody Taveras, 27, brings six years of Major League Baseball experience, having debuted with the Texas Rangers in 2020 at the age of 21. Known as an elite defensive outfielder with exceptional speed, Taveras provides the defensive skills the Orioles have lacked this season.
Offensive Performance
Despite his defensive talents, Taveras has struggled offensively. He holds a career batting average of .236 and a .651 on-base plus slugging (OPS). His best MLB season was in 2023 with the Rangers, where he posted a .266 average and .733 OPS during their World Series run.
Recent Career Developments
- After spending most of the 2025 season in the minor leagues, Taveras elected free agency in October.
- The Rangers designated him for assignment in May 2025, followed by the Seattle Mariners doing the same in June.
- He hit .205 with a .530 OPS in 58 MLB games during 2025 but performed better in Triple-A with a .280 average and .804 OPS.
"Leody Taveras is an elite defensive outfielder, which the Orioles need after a poor season with the gloves."
This signing strengthens the Orioles' outfield depth and adds key attributes the team requires defensively and on the bases.
Author's summary: Leody Taveras, a skilled defensive outfielder with solid speed but inconsistent hitting, has signed a one-year deal with the Orioles to bolster their outfield for the 2026 season.