Orioles to Sign Outfielder Leody Taveras
Outfielder Leody Taveras is expected to join the Baltimore Orioles on a one-year, $2 million contract, according to Jon Heyman of the New York Post, crediting Mike Rodriguez for first reporting the deal.
Career and Recent Transactions
Seattle designated Taveras for assignment in mid-June; after clearing waivers, he was sent outright to Triple-A Tacoma. The Mariners had claimed him off waivers from Texas in early May. A few weeks ago, Taveras elected free agency.
He spent the previous five major league seasons with the Texas Rangers, debuting in 2020 in a part-time role. Initially, Taveras's offensive contributions were limited, but he showed strong center field defense and speed.
Performance Overview
In 2022, Taveras stepped up, appearing in 143 games. From 2020 to 2022, he accumulated 660 plate appearances, then reached 554 in 2023. That year, he hit 14 home runs, stole 14 bases, and posted a .266/.312/.421 slash line, which helped maintain his large role in 2024.
However, in 2024, his hitting declined, finishing with an 84 wRC+ over 529 plate appearances, a .229 batting average, though he stole a career-high 23 bases.
Contract and Arbitration Status
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 sparked trade rumors. Texas ultimately retained him despite his offensive struggles in 2024.
"Taveras hit 14 home runs and stole 14 bases while slashing .266/.312/.421. 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, signs a one-year deal with the Orioles after fluctuating offensive performance and a challenging 2024 season with the Rangers.
Would you like the HTML to include a more detailed stats table or remain text-based only?