The Orioles announced that infielder Luis Vazquez was signed to a Major League contract for the 2026 season. Vazquez was already controlled for 2026 as a pre-arbitration player, but this transaction gives Vazquez a bit more roster security (for now) and probably gives him a small bump over the minimum salary was slated to earn next year.
The signing bears some similarities to Baltimore’s deal with Rico Garcia, which was also announced on Thursday. In essence, Vazquez’s big league deal and Garcia’s split contract are meant to deter teams from claiming either player on waivers, should the Orioles designate either for assignment this winter. The two situations aren’t exactly similar since Vazquez has minor league options remaining while Garcia is out of options, but both players can reject an outright assignment in favor of free agency should they get DFA’ed and then outrighted off the 40-man roster.
Vazquez (who turned 26 last month) came to the Orioles from the Cubs in a cash transaction last January, and then was designated and outrighted off Baltimore’s roster just a week later. His contract was selected by the O’s in June, and he ended up appearing in 32 MLB games in 2025, with a .160/.208/.240 slash line to show for 53 plate appearances. Vazquez did hit his first big league home run, which ended up being the game-winning run in the Orioles’ 3-2 win over the Astros on August 24.
Known as an excellent defender, Vazquez might be able to carve out a bench spot in the Show on his glovework alone, and he’ll get some consideration for the Orioles’ utility infield position during Spring Training. However, he’ll have to deliver something more at the plate than his .404 OPS over 67 career big league plate appearances. His work at Triple-A has been much more respectable, as Vazquez has hit .252/.340/.408 over 839 career PA with the Cubs’ and Orioles’ top affiliates.
Well, as long as he “has might be able to carve out a bench spot” then why not.
Ouch! Hot stove!
BTW – in case you think I’m being a jerk, I like what Mark writes & his weekend chats, but he always has mistakes in his writing like this. Look, every site needs an editor and the thing is, Tim doesn’t even have to hire one. Just have each of their writers take turns reviewing each other’s articles. That’s what I had.my writers do when I ran the Chicago site at Bleacher Report and it was very effective. Not that they liked doing this, but all it takes is a second pair of eyes.
There isn’t a second pair of eyes on Saturday morning, Mr. had.my.
Just get two pair of crossed eyes. Three pair of hungover eyes. Etc.
I can see why they gave him a ML deal after the breakout season he had for them this year. 😆 LOL
Like my Mets giving Richard Lovelady a ML deal on the heels of his brilliant performance in 25! 😂
These two guys are cluttering up the 40-man, which is inexplicable.
Several guys needed to be added before the Rule 5, and Vasquez is hardly a prize worth a spot.