Rangers Place Outfielder Leody Taveras on Waivers Amid Roster Shuffle

ARLINGTON, Texas – The Texas Rangers have placed outfielder Leody Taveras on outright waivers as of May 4, 2025, according to reports from Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic.

Taveras, who has a batting average of .241 this season, has hit one home run and driven in eight runs over 79 at-bats. He has also scored seven runs and stolen six bases in 29 games played this year.

The decision comes as the Rangers aim to adjust their roster. If another team claims Taveras, they would take on the remainder of his contract, which stands at $4.75 million for the current season. Until a claim is made, Taveras can continue to play for the Rangers.

The Reds are reportedly among the teams interested in trading for Taveras. This interest has been noted multiple times over the past few years, indicating that Cincinnati could make a move if Taveras goes unclaimed.

Some Rangers fans and analysts have expressed mixed feelings about the move. While Taveras is considered a solid defender, there is concern about his offensive output compared to other outfielders. Fans noted that players like Evan Carter and Josh Smith may provide better offensive contributions moving forward.

Ultimately, if Taveras clears waivers, the Rangers have the option to outright him to the minors, creating space on both the active and 40-man rosters. This could facilitate plans to call up Evan Carter or adjust defensive alignments with players like Nick Ahmed who has cleared waivers.

Taveras had a challenging 2024 season, posting a .229 average with a .289 on-base percentage. As the Rangers navigate roster decisions, the future of Taveras remains uncertain.