Former Athletics Outfielder Joins Baltimore Orioles

The Baltimore Orioles have signed outfielder Ramón Laureano to a one-year contract with a club option for the 2026 season, the team announced Tuesday.

Laureano will earn $4 million in 2025, with the potential to make an additional $6.5 million if Baltimore exercises his option for the following year.

The 30-year-old outfielder joins the Orioles after spending the latter half of 2024 with the Atlanta Braves. Despite being eligible for arbitration with a projected $6.1 million salary, the Braves opted to non-tender him, making him a free agent.

In 67 games with Atlanta, Laureano posted a .296 batting average with 10 home runs and an .832 OPS—significant improvements over his performance with the Cleveland Guardians, where he struggled across two seasons. These numbers resemble the production he displayed earlier in his career with the Oakland Athletics before serving a PED suspension in August 2021.

However, it’s worth noting that Laureano’s .380 batting average on balls in play (BABIP) with Atlanta was well above the league average, suggesting some luck played a role in his resurgence, as pointed out by Darragh McDonald of MLB Trade Rumors.

On the other hand, advanced metrics indicate real improvements in his swing. According to Baseball Savant, Laureano posted a career-high 38.7% sweet spot percentage in 2024, aligning with a 40.8% hard-hit rate—his best mark since his shortened rookie season in 2018.

With Baltimore, Laureano will provide outfield depth and a right-handed power bat, giving the Orioles additional flexibility as they prepare for the 2025 season.

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