Orioles sign Dylan Carlson to 1-year deal
The Baltimore Orioles added to their outfield Monday, signing switch-hitter Dylan Carlson to a one-year contract.
Carlson's deal is worth $975,000, according to Jon Heyman of the New York Post. He'll earn an additional $25,000 if he makes 200 plate appearances.
The 26-year-old split last season between the St. Louis Cardinals and Tampa Bay Rays, hitting .209/.287/.277 with three homers and 25 RBIs over 96 games. He was non-tendered by Tampa Bay in November.
Once a highly regarded prospect in the Cardinals' system, Carlson finished third in NL Rookie of the Year voting in 2021 after putting up a career-best .780 OPS with 18 homers. However, he's yet to replicate those numbers, in part because of a slew of injuries over the past two seasons.
Carlson adds more depth to the Orioles' outfield corps for 2025. He can serve as a backup to Cedric Mullins in center field and Colton Cowser in right, while potentially providing switch-hitting pop off the bench if healthy. He also gives the O's additional roster flexibility, as he has three minor-league options and another two years of arbitration eligibility remaining.
Carlson will likely compete with Heston Kjerstad and Daz Cameron, as well as non-roster invitees Nick Gordon and Jordyn Adams, for an Opening Day roster spot.
The Orioles lost Anthony Santander in free agency this winter, but filled his spot by signing Tyler O'Neill - a former teammate of Carlson's in St. Louis - to a three-year deal.
To make room for Carlson on the 40-man roster, Baltimore designated infielder Jacob Amaya for assignment.