Outfielder Leody Taveras joins O's on free-agent deal

BALTIMORE -- It hasn’t taken long for the Orioles to get to work this offseason.

The O’s on Thursday announced they have signed outfielder Leody Taveras to a one-year MLB deal. The contract is worth $2 million, according to a source.

Taveras has played six MLB seasons for the Rangers (2020-25) and Mariners (‘25). The 27-year-old switch-hitter is a career .236 hitter with a .651 OPS over 533 big league games, and he’s capable of playing all three outfield spots.

After starting the year in Texas, Taveras was claimed off waivers by Seattle on May 6 and went on to hit .174 in 28 games for the Mariners. He was designated for assignment on June 9 and outrighted on June 13 to Triple-A Tacoma, where he spent the rest of the season. Taveras hit .280 with an .804 OPS in 81 games for Tacoma.

Taveras’ best season came in 2023, when he posted a .266/.312/.421 slash line with 31 doubles, three triples, 14 home runs, 67 RBIs and 14 stolen bases in 143 games for the Rangers. He also helped Texas win a World Series championship that year.

In Game 1 of the 2023 American League Championship Series, Taveras homered off Astros right-hander Justin Verlander in a 2-0 Rangers win. Taveras later made a memorable catch in Game 5, taking a home run away from slugger Yordan Alvarez.

Taveras’ best tool is his arm strength, which has ranked in the 91st percentile or better in all six of his Major League seasons, per Baseball Savant.

The bulk of Taveras’ big league work has come in center field, which is where the Orioles have the most available playing time. Colton Cowser was the primary center fielder during the final two months of the 2025 season -- after Cedric Mullins was dealt to the Mets ahead of the Trade Deadline -- though the club has preferred to play Cowser in a corner.

Taveras may not end up as a starter, but he could be a valuable depth piece to have in an outfield mix featuring Cowser, Dylan Beavers (the O’s No. 2 prospect and MLB Pipeline’s No. 83 overall), Tyler O’Neill and Heston Kjerstad. Of that group, only Cowser and Taveras are options to play regularly in center.

It would not be surprising, though, if the Orioles continue to add outfielders this winter, including at least one who is an above-average hitter (preferably right-handed to balance the lineup). After going a disappointing 75-87 while finishing last in the AL East this past season, Baltimore is hoping to produce better offensive results in 2026, and a veteran outfield bat could help accomplish that.

The Orioles believe they can return to postseason contention next season after reaching the postseason each of the previous two years, so they could have an aggressive offseason.

The O’s have already reacquired right-handed reliever Andrew Kittredge, who was traded to the Cubs on July 31 and then sent back on Tuesday. Baltimore also claimed righty George Soriano off waivers from Miami on Wednesday as it begins to collect arms to potentially compete for bullpen spots in 2026.