Shane Baz Acquired By the Baltimore Orioles
If you thought the Baltimore Orioles were going to be satisfied just signing Pete Alonso and calling it a winter, you clearly haven’t been paying attention. The O’s are officially in “win now” mode, and their latest move proves they aren’t afraid to take a risk. With the acquisition of Shane Baz, they have even more firepower.
Baltimore acquired Baz from the Tampa Bay Rays. But as with any deal involving the Rays, there is always a catch—and in this case, the catch was a massive haul of prospect talent heading back to Florida. The addition of Baz solidifies their rotation.
A Fresh Start For Baz In Baltimore
Baz has some of the most electric stuff in baseball, but his time in Tampa Bay wasn’t exactly a smooth ride recently. After missing the 2023 season recovering from Tommy John surgery, Baz returned to the mound and posted a 4.87 ERA over 31 starts in 2025. Those aren’t exactly Cy Young numbers, but the talent is undeniable.
For the Orioles, this is a bet on upside. They aren’t trading for the 4.87 ERA version of Baz; they are trading for the guy with the high-90s fastball and the wipeout slider who can anchor a rotation when he’s right. Plus, with team control through the 2028 season, Baz isn’t just a one-year rental. He’s a piece of the puzzle for the next few championship runs.
The Rays Pull Off Classic Tampa Bay Wizardry
You almost have to respect the hustle. The Rays had been shopping Baz for a while, and the asking price was rumored to be astronomical. Most teams would have blinked. The Orioles didn’t.
In exchange for one pitcher, the Rays managed to snag a five-piece return that essentially restocks a significant portion of their farm system. We’re talking about a “king’s ransom” here:
- Slater de Brun (OF): The Orioles’ No. 6 prospect.
- Caden Bodine (C): The No. 10 prospect.
- Michael Forret (RHP): The No. 11 prospect.
- Austin Overn (OF): The No. 30 prospect.
- Competitive Balance Round A pick: A high draft pick that falls between the first and second rounds.
It is the quintessential Rays move. They take a valuable asset, flip him before he hits free agency, and turn him into a small army of young talent that will likely torture the rest of the AL East in three years.
High Risk, High Reward For the O’s
Giving up three top 15 prospects is a tough pill to swallow for any fan base. It hurts to see homegrown talent like de Brun and Bodine leave the system. But banners fly forever, and the Orioles know their window is wide open right now.
By adding Baz to a rotation that desperately needed another high-ceiling arm, Baltimore is sending a message to the Yankees, Red Sox, and the rest of the league: they are done rebuilding. They are here to dominate.
For Baz, the pressure is now on. He’s moving from a market that prioritizes development to a team that expects to win the World Series immediately. If he can harness that raw talent and stay healthy, this trade might be looked back on as the moment the Orioles secured their dynasty. If not? Well, the Rays will probably have five new starters to show for it.
