After getting swept in the Wild Card round of the postseason, the Baltimore Orioles kicked off their 2024-25 offseason by acquiring outfielder Daz Cameron from the Athletics in exchange for cash considerations.

Originally drafted 37th overall by the Houston Astros in 2015, Cameron, 28 in January, initially made his debut in 2020 with the Detroit Tigers after being included in the blockbuster trade for Justin Verlander in 2017.  In parts of three seasons with the Tigers from 2020-22, Cameron played in 73 games where he slashed .201/.266/.330 with five home runs and 24 RBI.

He spent the entirety of the 2023 season with the Orioles’ Triple-A affiliate. As a member of the Norfolk Tides, Cameron played 110 games and slashed .268/.346/.452 with a career-best 16 home runs while driving in 67 runs. He signed with the Athletics as a free agent and spent 66 games with the big league squad, posting a .587 OPS with a .200 AVG.

Cameron has certainly struggled to establish himself as a big leaguer in his short career thus far. His offensive profile has left much to be desired with a 29.8% career strikeout rate and a 7% walk rate along with a lack of power and contact. Still, there is reason to like Cameron as an extra outfield piece thanks to his production in the minors.

Over 751 minor league games, Cameron has hit .254/.341/.417 with 75 home runs and 382 RBI. He’s typically drawn an average amount of walks while keeping his strikeouts in check and boasts a .341 OBP. His speed also serves as a useful tool, showcased by his 167 stolen bases, including four seasons where has swiped 20 more bases.

While he isn’t the most refined outfielder, that speed has helped him be a decent piece to throw out there. The Orioles aren’t exactly hurting for outfielder pieces with Colton Cowser, Cedric Mullins and Heston Kjerstad penciled in as starters for 2025, but Cameron can sit in as the fourth outfielder and late-game defensive replacement or pinch runner. It also affords the Orioles the chance to let some of their other outfield prospects keep getting regular time in the minors because deemed ready to take on roles with the big league squad.

Cameron may also end up as a simple placeholder and depth piece as the O’s look to build on a strong last couple of seasons and get over the hump to make a run in the postseason. He is out of options and is set to earn a league-minimum contract.