Taylor Ward’s phone rang around 8 p.m. Tuesday, he checked the name of the caller and saw that Angels general manager Perry Minasian was trying to contact him.

Ward had always prepared himself for the possibility of a trade, and now, Minasian randomly was on the other end of the line.

“Obviously,” he said today in a video call, “there’s been rumors for years now.”

The chatter apparently didn’t cause him to make any assumptions that night, to come away as anything except surprised when told that the Orioles acquired him for starting pitcher Grayson Rodriguez.

“Our conversation was pretty brief, but just told me that I was traded to Baltimore and he appreciated everything that I had done with the Angels and wished me luck. But had no idea,” Ward said.

“I mean, you could say it was definitely a blindside. I had no idea that the Orioles were interested in me, but definitely thankful, grateful for the opportunity, and excited to get going with them.”

Ward is leaving a 90-loss team that finished in last place in the American League West to join an 87-loss team that finished last in the AL East. But his former employer hasn’t made the playoffs in 11 years. The Orioles won the division in 2023, posting the best record in the league, and held the first Wild Card the following season.

“Any time we come into Baltimore, I do my own scouting reports on the pitchers, and going through those guys is tough,” Ward said. “Tough to game plan. They just have so many weapons. Good arms, especially in the bullpen. I’m looking forward to playing behind those guys and being their teammates now.

“I just think that the whole group is a solid group, a lot of young players. Just excited to step in and help produce in that lineup. I just think, as always, even with the Angels, just guys got to stay healthy. I think that’s just the biggest thing. But this team’s definitely capable of making a deep playoff run and I’m excited to join that.”

President of baseball operations/general manager Mike Elias sought a big bat from the right side to provide more balance to the lineup. The outfield was the logical place to fit it and options on the market weren’t plentiful.

In steps Ward, who set career highs with 31 doubles, 36 home runs 103 RBIs and a .475 slugging percentage. He’s accumulated 663 plate appearances in each of the past two seasons, appearing in 156 and 157 games, respectively.

“I think really just, I’m a huge believer in mechanics,” he said while attempting to explain the factors in his big offensive year. “I think when mechanics are clicking, everything pretty much falls in line. It’s crazy how sensitive the teeter-totter is with mechanics, and I just think (this) year I was probably the most consistent with it.”

The .228 average was his lowest in a full season and he struck out a career-high 175 times, giving him a few areas to concentrate on during the winter and in spring training.

“I think there’s a lot more in the tank, especially with average and cutting down on strikeouts and things like that,” he said. “That’s what I’m going to be focused on this offseason and just continuing to dial in the mechanics side of things and the consistency side of things with that, and also swinging at good pitches. I think I did a decent job last year with that, too. I just think both of those things combined kind of produces what you saw, and just trying to stay right there and improve a little bit in some areas.”

The adjustments for Ward extend beyond a new team. This is the first time that he’s going to play in the final year of a contract before reaching free agency.

“I think nothing changes,” he said. “I'm a simple guy, simple thoughts. Just trying to keep things simple and not overthink anything. Obviously, I've played a lot of baseball to this point, so just trying to improve on little areas and swing at good pitches and stay good with the mechanics and everything else should take care of itself.” 

Ward spoke to new manager Craig Albernaz after the trade and he’s had multiple discussions with hitting coach Dustin Lind.

“They’re definitely fiery guys,” he said. “It was really cool to talk to both of them and it seems like they’ve been together for a while and know each other well. I’m just excited to get down there, get to talk to them more, build those relationships. Really, they were good conversations and I got to know them decently well throughout those conversations. So hopefully, when I get there for spring training, just step right in and basically just be like we’ve known each other for a while.

“I think that’s a big thing, just the comfort level of that. But yeah, those are good conversations and definitely looking forward to working with both those guys.”

The Orioles most likely will want Ward in left field, where he’s played the last three seasons, but he has experience in every spot.

“I haven’t had any discussions with them about where I’ll be playing, but wherever they need me to play, I’ll play there and do my best,” he said.

Ward said he’s comfortable in center, but the Orioles most likely prefer to use him in a corner and go with Colton Cowser, Leody Taveras or a newcomer in the middle.

“I haven’t really got much reps in 2025 out there,” Ward said, “but I mean, I’ll absolutely play there, practice out there, do anything that I can to help the team, like I said. Wherever they want me I’m willing to play, for sure.”

Even behind the plate.

Ward will have a mitt in his locker at the Ed Smith Stadium complex, but he hasn’t caught since logging two innings in reserve in 2021. He played the position at Fresno State, in summer leagues and in his first three professional seasons.

The Orioles are set with Adley Rutschman and Samuel Basallo and might decide to carry a third catcher. Ward could suit up in an emergency.  

“I think at this point I’m probably getting pretty even with how much I’ve caught and how much I’ve played outfield now. But still, catching, I believe a lot of that I still have in me,” he said.

“I think if that is something that they were interested in, I feel like they would have told me that by now. But like I said, help the team out, definitely take reps wherever they need me.”

* Orioles play-by-play announcer Geoff Arnold won't return in 2026, per sources. The Athletic first reported the news, which has been circulating for a while.

Arnold's contract wasn't renewed. He joined the Orioles' broadcast team in 2020, primarily as radio lead but also backing up on MASN, after five seasons with their Class A affiliate in Frederick. 

Arnold was a finalist last year for the Marlins' lead play-by-play television job.

* A source confirmed that assistant athletic trainer Mark Shires isn't returning next year.

Shires worked in the organization since 1999 and served in his current role for eight seasons. Patrick Wesley and Chris Poole remain as assistants to head athletic trainer Scott Barringer.