In a stunning move that underscores their determination to compete, the Baltimore Orioles have significantly upgraded their starting pitching by acquiring right-handed starter Shane Baz from their division rivals, the Tampa Bay Rays. This rare trade within the highly competitive American League East highlights Baltimore's all-in approach this winter.
The High-Stakes Trade Details
To secure the services of Shane Baz, the Orioles parted with a substantial haul of young talent. Heading to the Tampa Bay Rays are outfielder Slater de Brun, catcher Caden Bodine, right-handed pitcher Michael Forret, outfielder Austin Overn, and a valuable 2026 Competitive Balance Round A draft pick. The slot value for that pick is estimated to be over $2.5 million.
The prospect package is notable for its quality. Caden Bodine, selected 30th overall in the 2025 draft from Coastal Carolina, is renowned for his elite defensive skills behind the plate and excellent plate discipline. Slater de Brun, the 37th overall pick, is a compact but toolsy center fielder with advanced hitting abilities. They are joined by breakout arm Michael Forret, who posted a stellar 1.58 ERA across High-A and Double-A in 2025, and speedster Austin Overn, who swiped 64 bases. This infusion of talent significantly boosts the Rays' farm system as they retool.
Critically, the Orioles managed to complete this major acquisition without touching their core of top-five prospects, preserving their organizational depth while addressing the critical need for rotation help.
What Shane Baz Brings to Baltimore
At 26 years old, Shane Baz represents a high-upside arm entering his prime. He is coming off his first full Major League season in 2025, where he made 31 starts and logged 166⅓ innings. While his ERA settled at 4.87, analysts point to underlying metrics that suggest better performance. His 4.37 FIP and 3.95 SIERA indicate he was somewhat unlucky, a factor possibly exacerbated by pitching half his games in the hitter-friendly confines of Steinbrenner Field. He still managed an impressive 176 strikeouts against 64 walks.
Baz's arsenal is electric, featuring a 97 mph average fastball, a devastating knuckle-curve, a cutter, and a changeup. With three years of club control remaining before free agency in 2028, he is a long-term piece. He is expected to slot into a rotation that includes Kyle Bradish, Trevor Rogers, and Dean Kremer. Orioles coaches are optimistic they can help him unlock further potential, especially away from Tampa's challenging home environment.
Strategic Moves for Both Franchises
For the Tampa Bay Rays, this trade is a continuation of their strategic model. Operating with a limited budget in the tough AL East, they consistently replenish their pipeline with young, controllable talent. This deal follows another move where they traded Brandon Lowe in a three-team deal to acquire prospects like outfielder Jacob Melton.
The Baltimore Orioles, however, have loudly declared a win-now mentality. This has been the most active offseason in MLB for the Orioles. Their aggressive spree includes signing star first baseman Pete Alonso to a five-year, $155 million contract, closer Ryan Helsley to a two-year deal, and trading for outfielder Taylor Ward and reliever Andrew Kittredge.
After a disappointing 2025 campaign, the Orioles are clearly reloading to blend their incredible young core—featuring stars like Gunnar Henderson and Adley Rutschman—with proven veteran talent. The acquisition of Shane Baz is a cornerstone of that strategy, aiming to transform their pitching staff and position the team as a serious contender in the American League East for the foreseeable future.
