Orioles sign journeyman OF, confuse fans with yet another depth move

Mike Elias has had a knack for making moves that make you go "hmmmm", moves that seemingly come out of left field (pardon the pun) and do not make much sense at the time. This was true when the Orioles signed both Tomoyuki Sugano and Charlie Morton instead of a bonafide ace to replace Corbin Burnes, and when the Orioles confusingly decided not to tender a contract to arguably their best reliever last season, Danny Coulombe.

The Orioles did it again on Tuesday afternoon, signing
veteran outfielder Ramon Laureano to a one-year, $4 million contract, first reported by Ken Rosenthal of the Athletic. The deal also includes a $6.5 million club option for 2026.

It's okay if you didn't see the move coming; I didn't either. In fact, in the first version of my 26-man roster projection that was published this morning, I noted the logjam the Orioles face in filling the final bench spot, with an apparent competition between Coby Mayo, Jorge Mateo, and Dylan Carlson brewing. With the Orioles giving Laureano $4 million guaranteed, it now appears possible that none of those three will make the Orioles.

Laureano's fit with the Orioles is far from clear as the team is just nine days away from pitchers and catchers reporting to spring training. The 30 year-old Laureano has had an interesting career trajectory after being selected with he 466th pick by the Houston Astros in the 2014 MLB Draft.

Laureano debuted with the Oakland Athletics in 2018, posting a solid .832 OPS in 48 games and opening the 2019 season as the team's leadoff man and starting center fielder. 2019 wound up being the right-handed hitting Laureano's best season, as he hit .288 with 24 home runs, 67 RBIs, and posted a stellar .861 OPS. Laureano was also a defensive wizard, boasting one of the best arms for an outfielder and appeared to be on the verge of stardom.

Despite having the makings of a budding star, Laureano tailed off after 2019. He posted a solid .760 OPS for the A's in 2021 but, after a disastrous 2022 and beginning of 2023, was designated for assignment. The Cleveland Guardians scooped him up, though he fared no better in Cleveland. After a brutal start to the 2024 season, the Guardians let Laureano go, and he latched on with the Braves.

The Baltimore Orioles made yet another surprising signing, adding veteran Ramon Laureano on a one year, $4 million deal.

Joining the Braves may have saved Laureano's career. In a platoon with outfielder Jared Kelenic in Atlanta, Laureano shined, batting .296 with 10 home runs, 29 RBIs, and an .832 OPS. He posted an .869 OPS against lefties, so it was somewhat surprising when the Braves let Laureano go and signed Bryan De La Cruz instead.

Despite Laureano's solid finish to the season, his name did not pop up once in rumors with Baltimore. The Orioles, already with a seemingly set outfield of Colton Cowser, Cedric Mullins, Tyler O'Neill, and Heston Kjerstad, made several depth acquisitions before Laureano, including signing Daz Cameron, Jordyn Adams, and Dylan Carlson. So the addition of Laureano as yet another outfield depth piece came as a big surprise, especially since the Orioles, by guaranteeing him $4 million, essentially ensured him a spot on the roster.

It is also possible that Laureano's acquisition spearheads a trade in the Orioles suddenly crowded outfield. Indeed, Heston Kjerstad has been mentioned as a trade candidate all winter, and Cedric Mullins garnered interest at last season's trade deadline. One thing is for sure, though: you can never underestimate Mike Elias' ability to make the "wait, what?" type of move that no one saw coming. Let's hope for the Orioles' sake, Laureano has a productive season in Baltimore, wherever and whenever he plays.