Orioles Take a Flyer on Dylan Carlson for 2025 Season
The Baltimore Orioles are making moves. The O’s have signed outfielder Dylan Carlson to a one-year, $975,000 contract for the 2025 season. If Carlson reaches 200 plate appearances, he pockets an extra $25,000. It’s a low-risk, high-reward gamble that works with a strategy of bolstering depth.
Carlson, once a first-round pick with the Cardinals, arrived in the majors as a 5-tool prospect. For many, baseball isn’t always a straight-line story. Carlson never quite put it all together with the Cards, and after a stint with the Rays that resulted in Carlson being non-tendered, he hit the free-agent market.
Enter the Orioles, vying to find value in places others might overlook, Carlson’s versatility stands out. He’s a switch-hitter, and he’s comfortable playing all three outfield spots. While he may not walk into Camden Yards as a guaranteed starter, the O’s are betting on untapped potential in his game.
This is a classic move made by the Orioles. They’re not about splashy, blockbuster deals right now; they’re about building sustainable success. With a young core that features Adley Rutschman, Gunnar Henderson, and other future stars, they’re complementing the talent they already have with players like Carlson who bring upside and depth. If he pans out, this deal could be a sneaky-good move. And while this signing might not blow up your X feed, some O’s fans may not even know who he is, it’s still the kind of move that could make a good team great.
