The Baltimore Orioles have bolstered their starting rotation by acquiring right-handed pitcher Shane Baz from the Tampa Bay Rays in exchange for four prospects and a 2026 draft pick. This move addresses a key need for the Orioles following a disappointing 75-87 season. Baz, a 26-year-old with high-velocity stuff, brings upside despite injury history.
On Friday, the Baltimore Orioles traded with AL East rival Tampa Bay Rays to acquire right-hander Shane Baz, sending outfielder Slater de Brun (their No. 6 prospect), catcher Caden Bodine (No. 10), right-hander Michael Forret (No. 11), outfielder Austin Overn (No. 30), and the No. 33 overall pick in the 2026 Competitive Balance Round A Draft.
Baz, originally a first-round pick by the Pirates in 2017, joined the Rays as part of the 2018 trade that sent Chris Archer to Pittsburgh. His career has been hampered by injuries, including Tommy John surgery in September 2022, which sidelined him for all of 2023. In 2025, Baz made 31 starts for Tampa Bay, logging career highs of 166 1/3 innings and 176 strikeouts, though he posted a 4.87 ERA overall. His performance varied by venue: a 5.90 ERA in 16 home starts at the hitter-friendly George M. Steinbrenner Field contrasted with a 3.86 ERA in 15 road outings. Baz features a five-pitch arsenal, led by a four-seam fastball averaging 97 mph and reaching 100.4 mph.
Under team control through 2028, Baz slots into Baltimore's rotation alongside Kyle Bradish, Trevor Rogers, Dean Kremer, and Tyler Wells. The Orioles, who finished last in the AL East at 75-87, have been active this offseason under president Mike Elias, signing Pete Alonso to a five-year, $155 million deal, adding outfielders Taylor Ward and Leody Taveras, and bolstering the bullpen with Ryan Helsley and Andrew Kittredge.
For the Rays, the return restocks their farm system with recent draftees like Bodine (2025 No. 30 pick) and de Brun (No. 37), plus developing talents Forret and Overn, both of whom reached Double-A in 2025. This trade follows Baltimore's acquisition of Zach Eflin from Tampa Bay in 2024.