Losing Tyler O'Neill may not mean as much to the Orioles as one might think

For the fourth time since Tyler O'Neill signed with the Baltimore Orioles, he has been placed on the injured list. This time, the story behind the injury is more unique than usual, but the effect is the same: the Orioles will be without their second-highest-paid position player for at least the next week.

Fortunately for the Orioles, it appears they've hit on another depth outfield signing in Leody Taveras. When Taveras signed his one-year, $2 million contract with the Orioles, it didn't make many headlines. Taveras played a big role on the Rangers' 2023 World Series team, but the last two seasons had been tough for him, and in 2025, he was DFA'd by the Rangers and the Mariners.

Taveras was not great in spring training and likely only made the team because of his ability to play center field. However, Cowser struggling and Beavers looking a tad overwhelmed in center field have provided Taveras with an opportunity to grab some playing time early this season, and he's made the most of it.

Orioles appear to have found their latest rehabilitation project in Leody Taveras

In his first start, he went 2/2 with two walks and two key RBI that helped the Orioles avoid being swept by Taveras' old team, the Rangers, at home. He's kept up the momentum and been productive every time he's been put in the starting lineup; he's got eight hits in his six starts.

It may be a bit much to hope that Taveras will keep up his .900 OPS, but in 2023, he showed he can be an above-average hitter for an entire season; it's not out of the question that he could do it again. The Orioles have had success rehabilitating other hitters who's teams had left for dead like Ryan O'Hearn and Ramon Laureano. If that's what's happening with Taveras, then O'Neill may find it hard to get back into the starting lineup once he returns from the IL.

Even if Taveras' bat were to fade rapidly, the biggest bonus the Orioles get from having him in the lineup is what it offers them defensively. The Orioles default outfield defense coming into the season of Ward, Cowser, and O'Neill is not a strong defensive alignment. Cowser is an average centerfielder, Ward is a below-average corner outfielder, and O'Neill should be a DH. Those three combined make for a shaky defensive unit that is going to leak runs that the team hopes they will make up for with their bats.

With Taveras in center, Cowser can move to a corner, where he is an excellent defender compared to an average centerfielder. Having effectively two centerfielders in the outfield makes Ward's deficiencies less problematic and allows for better run prevention, which this pitching staff that doesn't strike enough batters out sorely needs.  

Concussions are a tough injury for a baseball player to deal with. Heston Kjerstad hasn't been the same since the Yankees beaned him in the head, and Cowser looked completely bewildered at times last year after he came back from his concussion. If this O'Neill concussion situation drags on, it is good to know the Orioles have the means to cover for his absence.

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