We are a little over two weeks away from pitchers and catcher reporting for the 2025 season, but the Orioles aren’t done with the offseason just yet.
According to multiple industry sources, the O’s have signed outfielder Dylan Carlson to a one-year deal worth around $975,000.
Carlson was selected in the first round of the 2016 MLB Draft by the St. Louis Cardinals out of Elks Grove High School. After three full seasons at the minor league level and being the top prospect in the Cards’ system, Carlson made his MLB debut on August 15, 2020, against the Chicago White Sox.
The 2021 season would be the breakout year for Carlson, as he would play in 149 games and slash .266/.343/.437 with a .780 OPS. He collected 144 hits, 31 doubles, 18 home runs and drove in 65 RBIs. Carlson would finish third in NL Rookie of the Year voting behind current O’s left-hander Trevor Rogers and former Cincinnati Reds second baseman Jonathan India.
The 2022 season would be a down year for Carlson, as he slashed .236/.316/.380 with a .695 OPS. He posted just 102 hits and only collected eight home runs, but he still put up a 30-double season.
Carlson would have two more subpar seasons with the Cardinals, averaging a .230/.316/.364 slash line with a .680 OPS in just 204 total games due to numerous injuries.
Carlson would spend 2024 with two teams, as at the trade deadline, he would be traded to the Tampa Bay Rays in a one-for-one deal that also included former Oriole reliever Shawn Armstrong. Carlson hit just three home runs in 2024 and 49 total hits in 96 games.
Primarily a center or right fielder, Carlson does have one cannon of an arm and might even maintain the left field wall. He has played 31 games against the AL East in his career, posting a .281 average with three homers and 10 RBIs.
Carlson’s deal includes a $25,000 bonus if he reaches 200 plate appearances on the year.
To make room on the 40-man roster, infielder Jacob Amaya was designated for assignment.
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