Orioles Make Early Splash, Snag World Series Champ Leody Taveras from the AL West
The Baltimore Orioles just made their first big move of the offseason — and it’s got fans buzzing. The team has signed former Texas Rangers outfielder Leody Taveras to a one-year, $2 million deal, per MLB insider Mike Rodriguez.
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From Rangers Mainstay to Fresh Start in Baltimore
After five seasons with the Rangers, Taveras’ road to Baltimore has been anything but smooth. The Seattle Marinersclaimed him off waivers back in May, but his time in the Pacific Northwest didn’t go as planned. He struggled at the plate, hitting just .174/.198/.272 before being sent down to Triple-A Tacoma, where he found his swing again with a solid .280/.358/.446 line in 81 games.
Now, he’s got a new shot — and the O’s are betting that his glove and speed can make a difference in their outfield mix.
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Remember 2023? Taveras Was a World Series Hero
If you followed the Rangers’ World Series run in 2023, you definitely remember Leody Taveras. That was his breakout year — he posted a career-high 2.9 bWAR and a 101 OPS+, helping Texas capture their first-ever World Series championship.
Taveras delivered when it mattered most: launching a solo homer off Justin Verlander in Game 1 of the ALCS and pulling off an insane home run robbery against Yordan Alvarez in Game 5. Rangers fans still talk about those plays.
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Smart Depth Move — But the O’s Still Have Work to Do
Taveras probably won’t be an everyday starter right away, but don’t be surprised if he earns regular time in center field — the position Baltimore needs help with the most.
Still, this move is just the start. The Orioles crashed hard in 2025, finishing last in the AL East (75–87) after two straight playoff trips. Signing Taveras gives them some spark and defensive depth, but the front office has a lot more to do if they want to catch up to the Yankees and Blue Jays next season.
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Bottom Line
Leody Taveras brings energy, speed, and championship experience to a young Orioles team that’s hungry to get back on track. It’s a low-risk, high-upside signing — and exactly the kind of early offseason move that could pay off big once the games start counting.
