The Baltimore Orioles announced Monday that they have signed free-agent outfielder Dylan Carlson to a one-year contract.
Carlson, 26, finished the 2024 season with the Tampa Bay Rays, who non-tendered him in November. He had joined Tampa Bay at the 2024 trade deadline after spending the previous eight years with the St. Louis Cardinals.
According to Jon Heyman of the New York Post, Carlson’s deal is worth $975,000, with an additional $25,000 bonus available if he reaches 200 plate appearances. To make room for Carlson on the 40-man roster, the Orioles designated infielder Jacob Amaya for assignment. Amaya had just been claimed off waivers on Jan. 16.
Drafted in the first round by the Cardinals in 2016, Carlson made his MLB debut in 2020 and was a consensus top-20 prospect heading into the 2021 season. That year, he impressed by hitting .266 with 18 home runs, 31 doubles, 65 RBIs, a .780 OPS, and a 3.1 WAR over 149 games, finishing third in NL Rookie of the Year voting.
Unfortunately, injuries to his hamstring, ankle, and shoulder hindered his production in subsequent seasons. Since his strong rookie campaign, Carlson has posted a .225 batting average, a .649 OPS, and an average of nine home runs, 24 doubles, 51 RBIs, and a 0.6 WAR per 162 games. In his 37 appearances with the Rays in 2024, he recorded a -0.3 WAR.
Despite his recent struggles, the Orioles see potential in Carlson and have added him to an outfield mix that already features All-Star Cedric Mullins, reigning AL Rookie of the Year runner-up Colton Cowser, and fellow free-agent acquisition Tyler O’Neill. The team also traded for Daz Cameron in October, with top prospect Heston Kjerstad waiting in the wings.
Carlson’s addition may indicate Baltimore’s plans to start Kjerstad in the minors or signal a potential roster change involving Cameron. Either way, Carlson will have the opportunity to prove himself in Spring Training and potentially during the regular season.
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