The Orioles announced that they have signed outfielder Ramón Laureano to a one-year deal. It reportedly comes with a $4MM guarantee for the the VaynerSports client and there’s also a $6.5MM club option for 2026. Infielder Luis Vázquez has been designated for assignment as the corresponding move.
Laureano, now 30, once looked like a star in the making in Oakland. But since returning from a PED suspension, he’s settled in as more of a solid role player. He had a career batting line of .263/.335/.465 and a 119 wRC+ in August of 2021, when it was announced that he tested positive for Nandrolone and had been given an 80-game suspension.
Since returning from that absence, he has slashed .230/.300/.392 for a wRC+ of 96. That includes 98 games in the 2024 season, split between Cleveland and Atlanta. He started with the Guardians but hit just .143/.265/.229 through 31 games. By the end of May, he had been designated for assignment, released and then landed a minor league deal with Atlanta.
He turned his fortunes around with that latter club, who had seen Ronald Acuña Jr. go down with a season-ending ACL tear. They brought Laureano in for some extra depth then added him to the roster when Michael Harris II hit the injured list. Laureano got into 67 games and put up a strong line of .296/.327/.505, production that translated to a 129 wRC+.
Although that was an impressive turnaround, there was also reason to suspect it wasn’t sustainable. He had a .380 batting average on balls in play during his time with Atlanta, well above last year’s .291 league average. Presumably, Atlanta was leery of that batted ball luck. They could have retained Laureano for the 2025 season via arbitration, with MLBTR contributor Matt Swartz projecting a $6.1MM salary. Instead, the club decided to non-tender him, sending him to the open market.
Even if Laureano’s offense regresses a bit closer to league average, he can still be a solid player. His sprint speed was in the 63rd percentile last year, according to Statcast, and he’s been able to swipe about ten bags per full season in his career. Reviews on his outfield defense are mixed. He has 21 Defensive Runs Saved in his career, including three last year, whereas Outs Above Average gave him -6 last year and has him at -14 for his career overall.
The O’s will also likely try to optimize his performance by limiting him to a platoon role. For his career, the righty-swinging Laureano has hit .274/.343/.460 against lefties and .236/.309/.418 against righties, leading to respective wRC+ numbers of 123 and 102. His split was even more extreme in 2024, as he had a .305/.343/.526 line and 139 wRC+ against southpaws, but a .236/.295/.393 line and 92 wRC+ otherwise.
The outfield mix in Baltimore leans left-handed, as does the lineup in general. Tyler O’Neill swings from the right side but Cedric Mullins, Colton Cowser and Heston Kjerstad are lefty-swinging outfielders. Infielders Gunnar Henderson, Ryan O’Hearn and Jackson Holliday also swing from the left side.
Laureano will likely slot into a part-time role for the O’s. He can occasionally spell those lefties to shield them from tough southpaws or just give them a day off. He can serve as a pinch runner or defensive replacement. He also gives them a bit of insurance for the oft-injured O’Neill, who has never played more than 138 games in a season and only topped 113 once.
Acquiring Laureano crowds the club’s bench mix. They have Gary Sánchez set to be the backup catcher and Ramón Urías backing up the infield. Jorge Mateo should have a spot if he’s recovered from last year’s elbow surgery by Opening Day. Laureano, Daz Cameron and Dylan Carlson are candidates for bench outfielder roles, though Carlson has options and could wind up playing regularly in Triple-A. Kjerstad could be down in Norfolk with him, if the regular outfield will feature O’Neill, Mullins and Cowser, with O’Hearn and Ryan Mountcastle in the first base/DH spots.
Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic first reported that the O’s and Laureano had agreed to a one-year, $4MM deal. Jake Rill of MLB.com first reported the presence of a 2026 club option, with Jon Heyman of The New York Post reporting the $6.5MM value.
first!
Solid buy low for my O’s!!!
Oriole-vengers, Assemble!
Dude, that gat looks ominous. Wouldn’t want to meet you in a dark alley, but I’m sure we would get along.
Muted!
This new owner really is worse than the last one. He should sell the team if he just owning it to milk if for as much profit as possible. What a fraud.
He’s definitely not worse than Angelos. You have no idea what you’re talking about. At all. Angelos was the hands down, uncontested worst owner in professional sports for at least a decade of his ownership tenure. The new guy and Elias can at least be said to be playing it smart, if not overly cautious. If they don’t spend big next year after seeing another year of growth and development from the kids then you could at least make an argument that he’s not a very good owner but right now he’s objectively much much better than Angelos
(Spends a lot of money but still gives the team flexibility next season) “He’s worse than Angelos!”
You sir are dumb
You’re mostly right. But it’s important to differentiate between father Peter, – who often ran huge payrolls, even coming in at #1 one year – as compared to his son John who extracted every penny he could from the franchise since he took command in 2019; it was his sole source of income, so he took all he could.
Not sure what your smoking. PA ran some huge payrolls. The current Ownership/front office has show NOTHING to make me think they are better.
Not the owner, it’s dumpster diving elias , the one who thinks he’s knows better than everyone one else
Wow. Believe they need pitching and have lots of talent for offense better than this.
What a relief. Thought they were a little thin on outfielders. It’s good to have a lot of depth there. Lots of those guys go down each year with Tommy Johns and such…
Outfielders are the ones that go out on the field and pitch, right?
Injuries do happen to outfielders from time to time.
Sir, outfielders are the bread and butter of any respectable pitching staff, show some respect for anyone with the ability to pitch from the outfield!
The orioles aren’t short in pitching at all. But they definitely could use a better quality arm than a couple of the guys they’re trotting out there in the 3-5. But in terms of depth they’re very well situated with Suarez and Povich as their 6-7, with McDermott about ready to hopefully be a back end guy, and both Bradish and wells set to return at some point. And the Felix, Kitteridge, Seranthony, Cano, Akin, Suarez, Perez, Soto bullpen is among the best in the game on paper. So this narrative that they’re desperate for arms has no connection to reality…they could have just used a superior arm sp slotted in somewhere.
I agree their depth is good. Even a couple injuries won’t hurt too much with some young guys ready to fill in and potential returns of Bradish or Wells. But the ceiling is really low overall.
I think we all saw the dodgers win the WS with almost no starting pitching. The pen should be nails.
Rotation would look much better with a King or Cease but G-Rod & Eflin are quality playoff starters. If bradish comes back looking good—he’ll be huge.
I like Morton and think he’s a pitch able postseason starter also. He’s ancient though so you know we need some good luck for all of that to come together. But the deadline is still available to add if it looks like the stars aren’t lining up.
Morton was a lot better in Atlanta than his record shows; he has a history of being good for like 5-6 innings and than having one bad inning. He hits a lot of left handers with that back foot breaking ball. I think Morton will have a good solid year with you guys
The BP is going to have a heavy, very important role this year. Like you said, on paper things very promising. Just hope these starters can get them five solid innings.
Canuck. Agree, little thin in the outfield. Nice pull by Elias and crew. I also sense some buyer’s remorse on the O’Neil deal. Some cheap league level experience insurance here.
I doubt it, Jeff.
Elias was basically fangirling over O’Neill to anyone who would listen after the signing.
Like “fangirling”. LOL
With Kjerstad’s health luck since being drafted and O’Neill’s lengthy injury history, it’s not the worst idea in the world, I just don’t see how Laureano fits on the OD MLB roster unless someone (Mullins, Urias, Mountcastle, etc.) gets traded or Mateo is going to start the year on the IL.
A trade? Interesting. Who is the question. Hmm.
Right now I’m thinking Mateo starts on the I.L., despite the TJ being to his non-throwing arm.
They will make a trade to open roster slots. If nothing else, Urias should be worth the MIL, DET, SEA and MIN CB picks, is controllable for 2 years and doesn’t cost much. He’s a clear roster upgrade for all four teams and they all need 2025 help.
Laureano simply fills the OF bench slot and Mayo and Mateo back up the IF.
I think Mayo starts the year in AAA, not Baltimore.
I want someone to explain the plan to me. Why sign so many outfield bats? they planning to platoon all of them? Obviously libing up for a trade of kjerstad, but why carlson and laureano
There’s 2500+ at bats with 3 OF spots and DH. Might as well load up when you can
5 outfielders makes up one ace
I’m guessing Mullins & Kjerstad won’t see a single lefty starter this year. Carlson’s going to AAA with this move.
You have to feel bad for Kjerstad. He was a prospect on note but is now 26 and the O’s clearly don’t want to give him a shot at a full time role.
Whoops. He will be 26 in 7-ish days.
Kjerstad is SOON to be 26 (not “now”) and was getting everyday ABs before the headhunting Yankers beaned him into a nearly season-ending concussion. He’ll be getting close to full-time ABs as long as he’s not traded or still suffering long-term concussion problems. The Orioles definitely *DO* want to give him a shot. This signing is not about denying Kjerstad a starting job.
Hoping Kjerstad gets ABs vs LHPs; his MiLB splits say he should. After seeing Cowser injure himself on a pitch that Fredi Gonzalez described as “behind him,” I don’t want him starting against any lefties.
They didn’t have a single RH hitting OFer. You have to have at least one on the bench.
What about Tyler ONeill
They had Carlson (switch-hitter who’s better against LHP) and Cameron, both of whom appear ticketed for AAA now. Urias/Kjerstad/Laureano on the bench, assuming Mateo starts on the IL question is what happens when he’s ready to return.
It’s possible that Elias is building depth in OF so he can trade for an arm. None of the OFers are untouchable and there’s almost 6 months until the trade deadline.
Cowser is untouchable.
Why? Can’t hit off-speed, can’t hit premium velo, can’t hit lefties, can’t hit his cutoff man. Fanboys went ga ga over his OAA last year as if it were some kind of proof of his defensive prowess. He has good speed but is fundamentally poor. He has a strong arm but has no idea where it is going. And he consistently allows runners to advance when throwing over the heads of cutoff men.. His K rate is over 30%. He is not a base stealer or anything special as a base runner. His WPA last year was -2.5. That SUCKS DONKEYS! Watching him daily, you knew that every time he was in a crucial situation with 2-out and men on that he was going to strikeout. Yeah, he can hits some bombs – and he spends the most time remaining in the box and admiring them of any Oriole – but they are almost always on middle-middle low velo 4SFBs. And his AB in the ALWCS was as ridiculous as anything in the history of the game. And game changing, too,
Laureano hits LHPs. And has played a legit CF to spell Cedric vs. lefties. Carlson is AAA depth in case of injury. Kjerstnd and Coswer start vs RHPs, at least until Cowser gets traded 😉
This signing most likely means a trade is coming. Only other reason it makes sense is if Kjerstad or someone else is still hurt.
Ramon is there to start vs LHPs, possibly spelling Mullins in CF. Might serve as a defensive replacement, even a PR sometimes. He won’t be starting over Kjerstad vs. RHPs. However, it is possible that Kjerstad has lingering effects from last year’s beaning.
Ok
good to have depth in the OF. Injuries can mount up. Especially with Tyler O’Neill on your team. Great power, but wound too tight as a body builder. He breaks a lot.
He’s no Jordan Walker that’s for sure
Valid
They needed a right-handed hitting outfielder to come off the bench. This likely takes Jorge Mateo playing OF off the table. Not a bad signing at all.
Tyler O’Neill…
He’s starting. For balance you still need a bench guy. Mateo was not the answer.
Above this comment, be had another comment where he said Baltimore doesn’t have a single RHH OF.
You are right: O’Neill is starting every day vs LHPs and most vs RHPs. But Mateo may be able to produce well as the short side platoon in CF. However, he may not be ready to start the season, despite the TJ being to his non-throwing arm.
Laureano was really good last year in Atlanta. He will be a fine addition if he is healthy. Don’t think Atlanta would have been playoff team without him last year.
Padres missed out. They must be super mega broke if they can’t stomach 4 mil for Laureano
Padres are in a weird spot. Their old owner broke open the bank to try and buy a championship before he died, and now that he’s gone his kids are trying to keep the team afloat with a bunch of highly paid players and a weird situation with their TV deal. They don’t print money like the Dodgers do, they don’t have nearly as deep of pockets as Steve Cohen does with his Mets, etc. Standing pat is probably all they can do at the moment, which is a shame because as a baseball fan in general I like when teams make moves to get better whether it helps them win now or helps them with a rebuild to someday win later.
Seidler’s kids are still too young to be involved in running the team yet. It’s one of Seidler’s brothers who is in charge now and is the one trying to keep the team afloat.
Laureano is strictly a short side of the platoon player that is best suited for RF. My thinking, and it may be stinking thinking, is that the Padres believe they can get good defense at all 3 OF positions and similar offensive production from Lockridge over 250-300 PA in that role
Lockridge hit .337/.446/.475/.922 vs LHP in AAA last season and .323/.394/.468/.862 in 2023, so there is a reason for believing he can hit as well as Laureano against LHP. Lockridge will cost them the MLB minimum
What do you say to this?
Trade Proposal:
Padres: Michael King, Robert Suarez
to
Orioles: Colton Cowser, Dean Kremer, Chayce McDermott, Comp Balance Pick B
(PS: Substitute Cease for King if you prefer to shed more payroll)
Sure, Kremer is a downgrade, but he is serviceable and has been pretty healthy. But the Padres benefit by shedding enough salary in Suarez and King to come in well under the threshold and avoid payroll tax. They probably would have room to sign a mid-level FA. Payroll reduction for Padres is ~ $13-14 MM, depending on where McDermott starts the year. They’ll gain team control of a young power-hitting OF in Cowser for 5 years who just finished 2nd in ROY. Plus they’d get an SP prospect with a power arm in McDermott who could slot into an RP role right out of camp. The Orioles will be asked for their 2025 Rule 4 competitive balance pick, Round B, to make up for the Padres losing the QO comp pick when King would have rejected it. All the while maintaining a legitimate shot at a playoff berth. This could benefit the team overall in terms of wins and playoff competitiveness while bringing them below the luxury tax threshold.
Orioles benefit by adding a TOR/MOR SP in King to round out the top 3 of a rotation that features Eflin and G. Rodriguez. And a legit back-end RP in Suarez who would solidify further a strong pen and provide insurance if Bautista is either not ready or less effective. It also ensures daily ABs for top hitting prospect Kjerstad. Heston is solid enough in COF – better fundamentally than Cowser defensively and faster according to Savant – so defense is a wash despite last year’s OAA numbers. And with the Laureano signing, Ramon can platoon with Mullins against LHPs instead of playing Cowser in CF out of position where he is below average and is poor at hitting LHPs.
This is a trade that helps both teams. That’s the true mark of a good trade.
This trade only helps the Pads.
The Os aren’t trading from their MLB rotation nor their CF of the future. You obviously don’t think that much of Kremer, but he’s an important innings guy for the Os. Who keeps them in many games. Also, Cedric is in his walk year in 2026. Cowser has been great for the Os, still getting better, and key part of the nucleus. There’s zero chance they trade him to fill one hole, only to create two more holes on the MLB team and hurt their contention window.
The contention window to win a WS includes this year, just like it included last year, which is why they traded for Burnes. Cowser is not a CF. And I’d argue he was OK, not “great.” He put up a -2.5 WPA last year which is AMAZINGLY BAD. Every single time he came up with 2 out and runners in scoring position you knew he was going to strikeout. And he is going to keep striking out at a 30+% clip, just like he did in the minors. They a have much, much better hitter in Kjerstad. EBJ will take over CF from Mullins at some point, probably 2026. And it’s possible that Mayo ends up patrolling RF at some point in the future. And maybe Honeycutt is in a corner; he has better power than Cowser and appears to be a real CF.
I have a higher opinion of Kremer than many Oriole fans but a TOR he is not. And trading for a TOR makes a 6-man rotation. Somebody has to go and it won’t be any of Eflin, GrOD Almighty, Sugano or Morton. Kremer is “an important guy for the O’s,” sure – until they get better talent. Then he becomes Just Another Guy.
This is the kind of trade you make if you want to win the WS. Keep kicking the can down the road and that window will close with nothing to show for it.
You’ll be happy to know they probably won’t trade ꓘKowser, since he is a “fan” favorite for people who like to wear pajamas to the park with cow spots and enjoy mooing, regardless of it being an appropriate time to do so.
Was hoping the braves trade kelenic to be their new left fielder and some prospects to the padres for cease or king and then resign Ramon to be our 4th outfielder/starter while acuna recovers. He played way better than kelenic, and helped the braves tremendously down the stretch. Obviously that didn’t happen, but for only 4 mil, why the hell did the padres not get him knowing how bad they need that left fielder? Instead they let him get away to a team that doesn’t even need another outfielder. The padres really are crap, I’m starting to agree with townagain or whatever that guys user name is more and more everyday.
The padres price for Cease to date has been huge it is reported that they asked the Braves for AJ Smith-Sawver; Drake Baldwin and Spencer Swellenbach. That’s way too much for 1 year of Cease.
Kelenic is probably without a spot when Acuna is back; I think kelenic could become a solid player he had flashes of greatness last year just can’t make enough contact to overcome the strike outs
They are out of their ever loving minds. Hearing that about made my head explode. Is padres ownership reta…. I’m not going to say it but you get the picture.
I’m surprised he only got $4M. He was great in Atlanta and has usually been an excellent bat against LHPs. Much worse players signed for more this offseason.
He short side platoon fodder, with a PED suspension. He’s lucky to get a MLB contract. If I’m SD, I would not set my sight so low. They will probably find better players going down the waiver wire at the end of spring training.
Not sure how many proven, still productive, lefty bashers who can still patrol the OF will be available. Even Grichuk just signed tonight, a similar type player. But it is true that he is a short-side platoon player.
Trade incoming!
O’s entered the offseason in a great spot and did as much as possible to basically not improve at all.
Yeah i really don’t like what the Orioles have done this offseason. ONeill is exciting but the rest of the moves meh.
That begs the question of which of the O’s OF prospects are on their way out the door in a trade?
Kjerstad?
I doubt that. Kjerstad is left handed. Mullins doesn’t hit lefties. Cowser has a big platoon split too.
Gives them a Centerfielder against tough LHP’s.
So who is leaving?
For this we’ll say Mountcastle and O’hearn as 1B & DH.
Mullins, Cowser, O’Neill in the Outfield.
Bench: Urias, Mateo, Laureano, Sanchez, Kjerstad
Lineup will be mixed and match frequently.
Javy, that’s one more bench player than most teams carry these days.
5 starters
Pen
Cano
Bautista
Suarez
Dominguez
Soto
Akin
Perez
Kittredge
Yeah you’re right. Mateo starts the season on the IL & at some point there may be a crunch? Kjerstad or Holliday might have to hit to stay if injuries don’t work the problem out organically.
I personally doubt Kjerstad is moved though.
Mullins will be a free agent next year. He needs a team that needs defense and speed and a little pop. He’d definitely help the Phillies. He’s going to be motivated to go all out for the big payday, and that means he’ll be stealing. If his hamstrings hold up, he’s due a heck of a year. Each outfielder we signed played center at some point. They can make plays til Bradfield comes up.
Coby Mayo says hey where am I going to play
Where? Norfolk, @rickyism
Agree w this. 5 is too many bench players.It means the Os would carry one less bullpen arm. I’d rather have that arm, esp. if we don’t have a true ace. We’re built to win games with offense and bullpen.
Kjerstad is a RF, and his defense isn’t the greatest. I don’t see him playing a single inning in CF
I think Kjerstad will start at either corner from time to time.
I’m imagining Mullins & Cowser play CF with Laureano getting a few looks out there.
I think the purpose of Laureano is partly that they don’t have to put Cowser there, where he is out of position
Laureano is more out of position in CF at this point than Cowser, who actually looked pretty great out there last year.
Laureano has lost a step, I agree. Cowser did not look great in CF. And the defensive metrics in CF look below average. I prefer a consistent, fundamentally sound CF. That’s why Mullins is still so good out there, even if he’s not as fast as he once was (though still faster than Cowser).
I respect your opinion, Floch, and give you more upvotes than I do anyone else. But we have a different opinion in this case. What can you do?
btw: You may have heard this before but Elias REALLY should have drafted Lawlar. Even on draft day it felt like Cowser was picked because Kjerstad was unhealthy, like the pick was a make-up call.
Cowser and Mullins were virtually identical speed-wise last year: 28.2 feet/sec vs. 28.3 feet/sec. Their OAA rate was almost identical too, at around 1/300 innings in CF. Add in Cowser’s vastly superior arm and the LF wall at OPACY being brought back in a good bit, which makes O’Neill or Kjerstad more playable there, and I think a decent case can be made for Cowser being the everyday CF, although I don’t think that will actually happen unless Mullins is traded (which I do not expect since none of Kjerstad, O’Neill, and Laureano should be getting playing time there except in an emergency).
And I agree that there is a good chance that Lawlar ends up being the better of the two in the long run, and we end up regretting the pick, but Cowser has the advantage right now with a solid full MLB season already under his belt.
Pads Fan,
Careful now, your speculation of a possible trade for the Orioles, might spawn an article here!
I don’t think Elias is going to trade any of his tanking era top picks (Adley, Kjerstad, Cowser, Holliday), at least not yet, but it does seem someone needs to go unless Mateo is going to miss the first few months of the season.
Mountcastle has reportedly received trade interest this offseason and Mullins is a pending FA, and both are replaceable from elsewhere on the current roster, so those would be my first guesses if someone is getting traded.
Did we hear of interest in Mountcastle besides from the Mets? That seemed like a rumor the Mets planted in the media to sign Alonso for less.
I wonder if Baltimore is going to trade Kjerstad + for Cease
Never, payroll is up over 50 mi.
Well he is not Luis Robert Jr…but he still is stylish
Nice and unexpected signing
Robert will get traded midseason if he can show he’s valuable again. He was really bad last year, and has been banged up on top of that. The White Sox have usually been one of the dumbest teams in the league over the years, especially recently, but hanging onto him for a bit longer to hopefully get more tomorrow instead of selling low today is one of the smartest decisions they’ve made in a while.
I have been hearing this, but I have been whining about not having a third outfielder with a plus arm. Now the Orioles have one finally …. well, if it works out that way
In October, I believed the Orioles would sign Randall Grichuk as short-side platoon OK who has handled CF in the past and can probably still play it better than Cowser did last year. I think I like signing Laureano more than signing Grichuk.
Are they no longer on speaking terms with Austin Hays or Cristian Pache?
Hays signed a 1 year deal with the Reds. Pache signed a minor league deal with the Diamondbacks.
Who?
Seeing that Carlson’s deal is not guaranteed, he doesn’t factor into the equation unless someone is injured or he has too good a spring to force is way in. O’Neill basically replaces Santander and Laureano replaces Hays/Slater
Carlson is signed to an MLB contract, so he is guaranteed $975,000. But, yeah, he is AAA depth. And that’s a great investment for the Orioles.
The Orioles had better hope their young guys all come through. They have done virtually nothing to replace Burnes and Santander. This is a team which is so close to being a World Series contender but will not spend to make this team get there. Terrible management, seems to be a rampant problem in MLB.
O’Neill and Kjerstad replaced Santander, and they will likely outperform him overall this year.
Burnes wasn’t replaced directly, but the current rotation should be fine to start the year. A game 1 playoff starter will still likely be needed at the deadline though.
This signing makes me think a trade is coming. Only other way it makes sense is if one of the outfielders is hurt, but then a trade would be coming later anyway after he’s healed.
Not loving this move at $4 million, but I suppose it’s not quite as bad as $8 million for a backup catcher. Very disappointing off-season so far.
The way I see it is Sanchez can actually hit – especially lefties. And that’s good on a team with a lefty dominant lineup. And he agreed to 1 year; McCann wants two years (and is still unsigned, partly because he can’t hit either side well). That frees the team to start 2026 with Top 10 prospect Samuel Basallo as backup C.
I can only think someone is about to be traded. More bodies than spots available even for the platoon-happy Orioles. How do we know if Kjerstad or Holliday can hit lefties if not given the opportunity to be full timers? We do know Mullins can’t, he had that chance.
For those considering DH don’t forget they also mix Rutschman in there.
So if someone is about to be traded, let it be for top of the rotation guy who is not Cease unlease he agrees to extension.
Mullins plus prospects in a deal for Pablo Lopez since Buxton can’t play more than 90 games in CF.
I don’t know but he’s the last of Duke’s ofers left. Cowser could reasonably handle CF full time with Laureano sprinkled in.
Cowser is not suited for CF. The OAA numbers are misleading as they basically only value running down long fly balls. That’s good in CF but his fundaments are weak, his arm strong but crazy wild and he is too dumb to hit his cutoff men. Cowser full-time in CF would be terrible for the pitching staff. btw: his sprint speed is lower than Kjerstad’s according to Savant.
But Cowser has 5 years control remaining. Structure a trade that sends Cowser & Kremer to MN for Lopez and Duran. If the Orioles pay full Lopez salary, maybe they get a power arm MiLB prospect too.
He was a rookie brother. We’re looking for tools that can play. I wouldn’t say he can’t at this point.
Also Duran is an established MLB closer. Not a prospect in anyway/
Right, never said Duran was a prospect. I said the Orioles Should get a prospect IF they pay all of Lopez’s salary.
Cowser’s tools don’t play in CF. It would be a disaster for the pitching staff to see him hacking away there. He’s turning 25 so it’s not like he’s going to transform into something different than he currently is. Though it would be nice if he could sublimate his ego and decide to hit cut-off men instead of making crazy throws 10 feet over their heads, allowing batters to move into scoring position and other runners to gain a free base. The word “high-strung” has been attached to him, supposedly by a member of the Orioles’ brass. I’d say the tern “low IQ” might be more to the point.
Having said that, the Padres could use somebody better than who they have in LF currently. Cowser could give them 25-30 HRs for 5 years. As long as they don’t play him in CF, he should have value for them
I don’t get it. O’s got so many prospects that need playing time already, how does Laureano and Carlson fit in.
Carlson gets paid well to be insurance in AAA in case of injury
AAA insurance so crucial. Between all those flat tires, timing belt misfortunes, and roll overs. Oh and that time getting locked out in Quebec City. AAA to the rescue!
Free Heston!!!
He’ll be free to get 450 PAs this season for the Orioles, health permitting.
Which version? Planet of the Apes or Ben Hur?
Soylent Green!!! It’s people!!!
Next Orioles will sign Paul DeJong and Anthony Rizzo.
More like smoke DeBong and listen to Lizzo.
Seems like $4 mil is minimum wage in mlb
Maybe the MLB is going to a 45 man roster this year?
What a weird signing.
Dylan Carlson must be pretty ticked right now.
When a FA signs for $975k, they know they are expendable. He had to expect he was starting in AAA even before they signed Ramon.
Nothing but a warm body. Watched him try to play for the Guardians. He was awful.
After tallying 1.3 WAR in half a season for the Braves. Did you watch his success last year in Atlanta, too?
HUH? Sending Kjerstad down for him would be a serious head scratcher. Carlson was the protection for O’Neil. Guess not.
Kjerstad starts vs RHPs. Ramon does not, thus the signing does not affect Heston. Laureano only starts vs LHPs.
Not the orioles news were hoping for.
OMG HOW DOES LAUREANO GET PAST THE DODGERS? THE SYSTEM IS BROKEN! THEY SIGN EVERYONE!
stop yellin
I would rather have seen John Means come back for $3M than add bench depth for $4M. This feels like an acquisition that is intended as a trade piece because we already went all in on the platoon situation with O’Neill, and I’d rather not see Mullins or Cowser lose a spot in the OF to this guy, and I certainly wouldn’t like to see O’Hearn n O’Neill moved to DH to make him the RF’er and move Kjerstad out of the lineup. This season needs to be about the young guys getting their reps, everyday, getting comfortable and secure and settling into their everyday roles. And stop swapping guys in and out as we try to “play the hot hand” while stunting the growth potential of future franchise players. Hopefully this is part of a trade that Elias is working out that will bring a top of the rotation starter to the O’s and it’s not someone we are expecting to see consistent playing time in 2025.
What does this mean? In what world do we need position players? The one blessing of not having Santander come back is that it opens a slot for one of our young studs to play everyday like Kjerstad. We need Joe Maddon as our manager so badly it’s not even funny. What he did with Chicago in 2015-16 is exactly what we need in Baltimore with an even better young ball club. I hope Laureano is a trade piece to bring someone like Michael King to Baltimore because we really could use a pitcher with lights out capabilities in the rotation, but none of it is really relevant at the end of the day. 2023 we got offense, but no pitching really, in 2024 we got pitching but absolutely no offense, maybe this is the year where we pitch and hit just well enough to get a postseason win, and hopefully winning just one game will start a snowball effect that leads to a bunch of wins. I have no faith in Brandon Hyde whatsoever, but Buck Britton is the assistant manager now, and maybe that will be impactful this year and lead to him being manager next year. With any luck, he will be manager before the end of 2025 so that maybe we can actually win a game in October.
First the A’s, then the G’s and the B’s. Now the O’s. Making his way thru the alphabet is he.