Headlines

  • Astros Place Jeremy Peña On Injured List With Fractured Rib
  • Reds Release Jeimer Candelario
  • Dave Parker Passes Away
  • Griffin Canning Diagnosed With Ruptured Achilles
  • Pirates Reportedly Have Very Few Untouchable Players At Trade Deadline
  • Griffin Canning Believed To Have Suffered Achilles Injury
  • Previous
  • Next
Register
Login
  • Hoops Rumors
  • Pro Football Rumors
  • Pro Hockey Rumors

MLB Trade Rumors

Remove Ads
  • Home
  • Teams
    • AL East
      • Baltimore Orioles
      • Boston Red Sox
      • New York Yankees
      • Tampa Bay Rays
      • Toronto Blue Jays
    • AL Central
      • Chicago White Sox
      • Cleveland Guardians
      • Detroit Tigers
      • Kansas City Royals
      • Minnesota Twins
    • AL West
      • Houston Astros
      • Los Angeles Angels
      • Oakland Athletics
      • Seattle Mariners
      • Texas Rangers
    • NL East
      • Atlanta Braves
      • Miami Marlins
      • New York Mets
      • Philadelphia Phillies
      • Washington Nationals
    • NL Central
      • Chicago Cubs
      • Cincinnati Reds
      • Milwaukee Brewers
      • Pittsburgh Pirates
      • St. Louis Cardinals
    • NL West
      • Arizona Diamondbacks
      • Colorado Rockies
      • Los Angeles Dodgers
      • San Diego Padres
      • San Francisco Giants
  • About
    • MLB Trade Rumors
    • Tim Dierkes
    • Writing team
    • Advertise
    • Archives
  • Contact
  • Tools
    • 2025 Trade Deadline Outlook Series
    • 2025-26 MLB Free Agent List
    • Contract Tracker
    • Transaction Tracker
    • Agency Database
  • NBA/NFL/NHL
    • Hoops Rumors
    • Pro Football Rumors
    • Pro Hockey Rumors
  • App
  • Chats
Go To Pro Hockey Rumors
Go To Hoops Rumors

Orioles Claim Roansy Contreras, Designate Liván Soto

By Darragh McDonald | January 10, 2025 at 4:10pm CDT

The Orioles announced that they have claimed right-hander Roansy Contreras off waivers from the Reds. Cincinnati had designated him for assignment earlier this week. In order to open a roster spot, the O’s designated infielder Liván Soto for assignment.

Contreras, 25, has been bouncing around the league over the past year. That’s likely a reflection of his uneven performance and out-of-options status. He made his major league debut with the Pirates and had some intriguing results with them, but exhausted his final option in 2023. He opened last year with Pittsburgh but was designated for assignment in May and flipped to the Angels. He spent the rest of the season with the Halos but was put on waivers in October and claimed by the Rangers. He went to the Reds on another waiver claim last month and has now been claimed again.

A notable Yankee prospect, Contreras was flipped to Pittsburgh in the January 2021 trade that sent Jameson Taillon to the Bronx. In 2022, he seemed to establish himself as a viable big league starter. He made 21 appearances for the Pirates that year, 18 of those being starts, tossing 95 innings while allowing 3.79 earned runs per nine. His 21.1% strikeout rate and 9.6% walk rate were fairly close to league par while his fastball averaged 95.6 miles per hour. Since he was only 22 years old at the time, it seemed fair to expect that was just the beginning.

But things have soured since then. Contreras posted a 6.59 ERA in 2023, which prompted the Bucs to send him to the minors, burning his final option. They moved him to a primary relief role in 2024 but, as mentioned, bumped him off the roster in May.

Between the Bucs and the Angels, he had some passable but not outstanding results. He finished the year with 68 1/3 innings between the two clubs and a 4.35 ERA. But his 18.8% strikeout rate and 10.4% walk rate were both subpar. His .265 batting average on balls in play and 75.1% strand rate were both on the fortunate side, leading to his 5.16 FIP and 4.55 SIERA being worse than his ERA.

Despite the up-and-down results, Contreras is still young and throws hard, averaging almost 95 mph last year with both his four-seamer and his sinker. He has just over two years of MLB service time, meaning he can be retained for four seasons before he would qualify for free agency. The fact that he is out of options means that he’ll need a roster spot on Opening Day but the Orioles could also try to run him through waivers later in the offseason to retain him as non-roster depth.

As for Soto, 25 in June, the Orioles seem to engaging in some sort of contest to see how many times they can bump him on and off the roster. This is the sixth time he’s been designated for assignment in the past year, three of those coming at the hands of the Orioles, two from the Angels and one from the Reds.

He has a strong .351/.407/.494 batting line, though in a small sample of 87 plate appearances over the past three big league seasons. In 370 Triple-A plate appearances last year, he slashed .283/.377/.381 for a 103 wRC+. He didn’t produce much power, hitting four homers in 88 games, but his 12.4% walk rate and 16.8% strikeout rate were both strong numbers.

The O’s will now have a week to either trade Soto or run him through waivers. Since the waiver process takes 48 hours, any trade talks would need to come together in the next five days. He still has one option year and plenty of minor league experience at the three infield positions to the left of first base. He seems to be a popular depth target around the league so it wouldn’t be surprising to see him acquired by another club in the coming days.

Share 0 Retweet 0 Send via email0

Baltimore Orioles Cincinnati Reds Transactions Livan Soto Roansy Contreras

Diamondbacks Claim René Pinto
Main
Latest On Pete Alonso
View Comments (30)
Post a Comment

30 Comments

  1. towinagain

    6 months ago

    For every team that missed out on Soto here your chance to sign Soto.

    9
    Reply
    • NoSaint

      6 months ago

      @towinagain

      The Jays have just formed a feasibility stearing committee to assess Soto’s value. They’re report will be released by the All Star break.

      1
      Reply
  2. DarrenDreifortsContract

    6 months ago

    Went from 700 million to being designated for assignment. Talk about a fall from grace.

    5
    Reply
    • towinagain

      6 months ago

      Ahhh I’m dying hahaha that’s awesome!

      Reply
    • Rexhudler86

      6 months ago

      @darren. Who? And what.

      1
      Reply
  3. Zippy the Pinhead

    6 months ago

    Livan, Livan likes his money. He don’t make much, they say. Makes him a perfect fit as the savior for the Mariners. /S

    4
    Reply
    • Monkey’s Uncle

      6 months ago

      I remember this guy! He was born a pauper to a pawn on a Christmas Day.

      Reply
      • Flanster

        6 months ago

        …. And the New York Times said God is dead

        Reply
  4. kellin

    6 months ago

    Wow, I didnt realize the Angels had picked up Soto after he was cut by the Braves. Clearly this guy’s upside never manifested, but I’ll bet someone $5 he ends up being back on the Orioles after someone nabs him and DFAs him.

    1
    Reply
    • fansincethe80s

      6 months ago

      Wasn’t cut. He was granted free agency early because of the braves international signing shenanigan

      2
      Reply
      • kellin

        6 months ago

        Oh! I remember that. I didn’t realize he was one of the people that ended up getting caught in that drama.

        2
        Reply
    • MacGromit

      6 months ago

      @kellin
      I’ll take that bet. Time limit is this 2025 calendar year.

      1
      Reply
  5. cinredsfan

    6 months ago

    Soto was with the Reds.
    Contresa was with the Reds.
    Not a winning formula picking up Ex-Reds.
    Recipe for disaster.

    2
    Reply
    • schwender

      6 months ago

      Redcipe

      Reply
    • kellin

      6 months ago

      And they were both Angels before that.

      Reply
  6. Susannah

    6 months ago

    Orioles still has another Soto.

    Reply
  7. HalosHeavenJJ

    6 months ago

    One former Angel in. One former Angel out.

    1
    Reply
  8. FOmeOLS

    6 months ago

    Can someone explain this to me? Soto has value. Contreras doesn’t. And he has no options either, which does nothing to help the in-season roster flow.

    Reply
  9. orange2001

    6 months ago

    Livan Soto, a career .351 hitter, just can’t get no respect.

    Reply
    • Rexhudler86

      6 months ago

      @orange they should keep him on the roster. He can play 3rd,ss,2nd. No power, but who cares. Decent defender.

      Reply
    • cooperhill

      6 months ago

      “I tell yah!”

      2
      Reply
  10. scruffmcgruff

    6 months ago

    Both of these guys are still super young, O’s need as much pitching depth and potential as they can grab after seeing so many impactful injuries to the pitching staff in the past couple of years. Soto will definitely land somewhere, 77 AB’s in the bigs in 3 years is nowhere near enough to see what he can do.

    1
    Reply
  11. cooperhill

    6 months ago

    Should have designated the master Baker instead.

    Reply
  12. sadmarinersfan

    6 months ago

    These two guys have both been DFA’d and claimed so many times in there careers

    1
    Reply
  13. Because I was born in PIT

    6 months ago

    Soto ends up being claimed by Pittsburgh in what will be a circuitous trade for Roansy. Both get DFA’d before the year is out.

    Reply
    • FromTheCheapSeats

      6 months ago

      Was thinking the same thing. And, fwiw, Pirates win that trade.

      Reply
  14. avenger65

    6 months ago

    By tomorrow poor Roansy will be dfa’d again.

    2
    Reply
  15. kpsmith

    6 months ago

    Maybe the M’s should claim Livan Soto, their infield depth at AAA/MLB is nonexistant.

    Reply
  16. SoCalBrave

    6 months ago

    Angels will claim Soto from the Orioles again

    1
    Reply
  17. HALfromVA

    6 months ago

    I sure hope someone throws Livan a nice fat contract. Cuz, you know, Livan, Livan likes his money.

    Reply

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Please login to leave a reply.

Log in Register

    Top Stories

    Astros Place Jeremy Peña On Injured List With Fractured Rib

    Reds Release Jeimer Candelario

    Dave Parker Passes Away

    Griffin Canning Diagnosed With Ruptured Achilles

    Pirates Reportedly Have Very Few Untouchable Players At Trade Deadline

    Griffin Canning Believed To Have Suffered Achilles Injury

    Mariners Looking For Corner Infield Bats; Ownership Willing To Bump Payroll

    Wander Franco Found Guilty Of Sexual Abuse

    Mariners Place Rowdy Tellez On Release Waivers

    Max Meyer To Undergo Season-Ending Hip Surgery

    Whit Merrifield Announces Retirement

    White Sox Sign Noah Syndergaard To Minor League Deal

    Corbin Carroll Placed On IL With Wrist Fracture

    Hoops Rumors Has The Latest On NBA Draft, Free Agency

    Mets Option Francisco Alvarez

    Reds To Promote Chase Burns For MLB Debut

    A.J. Puk Undergoes Elbow Surgery; Gabriel Moreno Diagnosed With Fractured Finger

    Braves To Select Didier Fuentes

    Anthopoulos On Trading Chris Sale: “Will Not Happen”

    Rays Owner Stuart Sternberg In “Advanced” Talks To Sell Team

    Recent

    Orioles Place Zach Eflin On Injured List

    Rockies Expected To Promote Yanquiel Fernandez

    Yankees Select Geoff Hartlieb, Place Fernando Cruz On 15-Day IL

    Trade Deadline Outlook: Chicago White Sox

    Trade Rumors Front Office Subscriber Chat Today At 3:30pm CT

    Padres Designate Logan Gillaspie For Assignment

    Phillies Reinstate Bryce Harper, Designate Buddy Kennedy For Assignment

    Athletics Select Colby Thomas

    Astros Place Jeremy Peña On Injured List With Fractured Rib

    Submit Your Questions For This Week’s Episode Of The MLBTR Podcast

    MLBTR Newsletter - Hot stove highlights in your inbox, five days a week

    Latest Rumors & News

    Latest Rumors & News

    • Sandy Alcantara Rumors
    • Luis Robert Rumors
    • Alex Bregman Rumors

     

    Trade Rumors App for iOS and Android App Store Google Play

    MLBTR Features

    MLBTR Features

    • Remove Ads, Support Our Writers
    • Front Office Originals
    • Front Office Fantasy Baseball
    • MLBTR Podcast
    • Trade Deadline Outlook Series
    • 2025-26 MLB Free Agent List
    • Contract Tracker
    • Transaction Tracker
    • Extension Tracker
    • Agency Database
    • MLBTR On Twitter
    • MLBTR On Facebook
    • Team Facebook Pages
    • How To Set Up Notifications For Breaking News
    • Hoops Rumors
    • Pro Football Rumors
    • Pro Hockey Rumors

    Rumors By Team

    • Angels Rumors
    • Astros Rumors
    • Athletics Rumors
    • Blue Jays Rumors
    • Braves Rumors
    • Brewers Rumors
    • Cardinals Rumors
    • Cubs Rumors
    • Diamondbacks Rumors
    • Dodgers Rumors
    • Giants Rumors
    • Guardians Rumors
    • Mariners Rumors
    • Marlins Rumors
    • Mets Rumors
    • Nationals Rumors
    • Orioles Rumors
    • Padres Rumors
    • Phillies Rumors
    • Pirates Rumors
    • Rangers Rumors
    • Rays Rumors
    • Red Sox Rumors
    • Reds Rumors
    • Rockies Rumors
    • Royals Rumors
    • Tigers Rumors
    • Twins Rumors
    • White Sox Rumors
    • Yankees Rumors

    Navigation

    • Sitemap
    • Archives
    • RSS/Twitter Feeds By Team

    MLBTR INFO

    • Advertise
    • About
    • Commenting Policy
    • Privacy Policy

    Connect

    • Contact Us
    • Twitter
    • Facebook
    • RSS Feed

    MLB Trade Rumors is not affiliated with Major League Baseball, MLB or MLB.com

    Do not Sell or Share My Personal Information

    hide arrows scroll to top

    Register

    Desktop Version | Switch To Mobile Version