The Baltimore Orioles announced a five-year contract extension with right-hander Shane Baz worth $68 million, the largest ever for a pitcher in franchise history. The deal, which begins immediately, covers his arbitration years in 2027 and 2028 and buys out two free-agent seasons. Baz, acquired from the Rays in December, is set to make his Orioles debut Sunday against the Twins.
Baltimore has ramped up its long-term commitments in recent months, and on Friday it added another with 26-year-old pitcher Shane Baz. A source told MLB.com the extension totals $68 million, ranking as the fifth-largest contract overall in Orioles history. It secures Baz through 2030, joining catcher Samuel Basallo's eight-year, $67 million deal from last August and first baseman Pete Alonso's five-year, $155 million pact from December 11. The Orioles acquired Baz on December 19 in a trade sending four prospects and the No. 33 overall 2026 Competitive Balance Round A draft pick to the Tampa Bay Rays. Control owner David Rubenstein said in a statement, “This agreement with Shane continues our drive to build a championship-caliber roster. We thank Shane for his commitment to Baltimore, the Orioles and our great fans.” President of baseball operations Mike Elias added, “We were ecstatic to acquire a pitcher of Shane’s talent during the offseason and are thrilled we could come to a long-term agreement to keep him in Baltimore.” Baz posted a 2.61 ERA with 14 strikeouts in 10 1/3 innings over three spring training starts. A former first-round pick of the Pirates in 2017 and traded to the Rays in the 2018 Chris Archer deal, he missed all of 2023 after Tommy John surgery and went 4.87 ERA in 31 starts last year, better on the road than at the Rays' temporary home. The Orioles see ace potential in his 96-97 mph fastball, knuckle curve and cutter, pairing him with Trevor Rogers and Kyle Bradish.
