Orioles Sign Outfielder Ramón Laureano to $4M Deal, Roster Move Pending

BALTIMORE, Md. — The Baltimore Orioles have agreed to a one-year, $4 million deal with outfielder Ramón Laureano, according to reports. The move fills a need for a right-handed bat but requires the team to make a corresponding roster adjustment to accommodate the signing.

Laureano, 30, was once considered a rising star with the Oakland Athletics but has since transitioned into a reliable role player. His career took a hit in 2021 when he received an 80-game suspension for testing positive for Nandrolone, a performance-enhancing drug. Since his return, Laureano has posted a .230/.300/.392 slash line with a 96 wRC+ (weighted Runs Created Plus), a decline from his earlier production.

In 2024, Laureano split time between the Cleveland Guardians and Atlanta Braves. After struggling in Cleveland with a .143/.265/.229 line in 31 games, he was designated for assignment and later signed a minor league deal with Atlanta. With the Braves, Laureano rebounded, hitting .296/.327/.505 with a 129 wRC+ in 67 games. However, his .380 batting average on balls in play (BABIP) during that stretch raised questions about the sustainability of his performance.

“He turned things around in Atlanta, but there were concerns about his batted ball luck,” said a league analyst. “His BABIP was significantly higher than the league average, which made his numbers look better than they might have been.”

Despite the skepticism, Laureano brings value to the Orioles. His sprint speed ranked in the 63rd percentile last season, and he has averaged around 10 stolen bases per full season in his career. Defensively, opinions are mixed: he has 21 Defensive Runs Saved (DRS) but ranks poorly in Outs Above Average (OAA), with a career mark of -14.

The Orioles are expected to deploy Laureano in a platoon role, given his pronounced splits against left-handed pitching. For his career, he has hit .274/.343/.460 against lefties compared to .236/.309/.418 against right-handers. In 2024, those splits were even more extreme, with a 139 wRC+ against lefties and a 92 wRC+ against righties.

“He’s a solid addition, especially against left-handed pitching,” said an Orioles insider. “If he can maintain even a fraction of what he did in Atlanta, he’ll be a valuable piece for us.”

The signing comes as the Orioles look to bolster their outfield depth, which includes prospects like Heston Kjerstad and Colton Cowser. Laureano’s arrival could signal an impending trade, as the team now has a crowded outfield mix.

“This likely takes Jorge Mateo playing outfield off the table,” said a team source. “We needed a right-handed bat, and Laureano fits that need.”

Laureano’s $4 million deal is considered a bargain compared to other offseason signings, given his potential upside. The Orioles, who entered the offseason with a strong roster, continue to make calculated moves to improve their chances in a competitive American League East.