Orioles Acquire Shane Baz Trade with Rays for Prospects, Pick

The Baltimore Orioles spent all winter searching for front-line pitching. They finally landed their guy in a bold—and unusually expensive—intradivision trade.

By prying right-hander Shane Baz away from the Tampa Bay Rays, Baltimore reshaped the top of its rotation. They also sent a loud message to the rest of the AL East: the rebuild is over, the window is open, and the Orioles are firmly in win-now mode.

Orioles Land Shane Baz in Rare Intradivision Blockbuster

Deals between AL East rivals are usually minor—bench bats, depth arms, maybe a lottery ticket or two. This one breaks the mold.

The Orioles saw Shane Baz as the starter who could anchor their staff for years and paid accordingly.

Baltimore sent four prospects—Slater de Brun, Caden Bodine, Michael Forret, and Austin Overn—to Tampa Bay. They also included a valuable competitive-balance Round A draft pick worth over $2.5 million in slot money.

For a franchise that’s rebuilt itself on scouting and player development, that’s a hefty price.

Why Shane Baz Was Worth the Gamble

Baz, 26, just wrapped up what you could call his breakthrough full season in the majors. His 4.87 ERA over 166⅓ innings doesn’t pop, but the underlying numbers caught Baltimore’s eye.

The righty struck out 176 hitters and walked 64, showing off a power arsenal that has always intrigued scouts. He combines swing-and-miss stuff with improving durability, and there’s a sense—maybe a hope—that Baltimore’s pitching coaches can help him take another step.

Just as important, Baz is a long-term asset. He has just under four years of service time, so the Orioles control him through the 2028 season.

That gives Baltimore a cost-controlled arm right in the heart of their competitive window. For a team balancing payroll and World Series hopes, that matters.

What the Orioles Rotation Looks Like Now

With Baz on board, Baltimore’s rotation suddenly looks deeper and more dangerous than it has in years. The move caps an offseason where the Orioles chased impact talent almost everywhere.

Projected Rotation and Offseason Overhaul

Baz joins a group that already included:

Baltimore’s front office didn’t stop at the rotation. They added star power with the signing of Pete Alonso, shored up the bullpen by bringing in Ryan Helsley, and traded for Taylor Ward and Andrew Kittredge to bolster both the lineup and relief corps.

Rays Reload with Prospects and Draft Capital

The Rays did what they always seem to do: turned one valuable, increasingly expensive asset into several younger, cheaper ones. They also grabbed a key draft pick to help fuel their next wave of talent.

Headliners: Caden Bodine and Slater de Brun

Caden Bodine and Slater de Brun headline the return. Bodine, a defense-first catcher taken 30th overall, already flashed some offensive polish—he hit .326/.408/.349 in an 11-game cameo at Low-A.

The Rays love catchers who can frame, call a game, and make contact. Bodine looks like he fits their mold perfectly.

De Brun, picked just seven spots after Bodine, is a toolsy outfielder whose slim frame hides a well-rounded offensive game. Scouts see a hitter who controls the zone, can run, and might grow into more power—exactly the kind of profile Tampa Bay has always squeezed value from.

High-Upside Depth: Forret and Overn

Right-hander Michael Forret, a 14th-rounder from 2023, is the classic Rays pitching lottery ticket—with a bit more certainty than usual. He dominated High-A and Double-A with a 1.58 ERA, and some evaluators think he could reach the majors by 2027 if his stuff holds up.

Then there’s Austin Overn, whose calling card is elite speed. He swiped 64 bases across two levels and could end up as a top-of-the-order pest or a dynamic fourth outfielder.

Tampa Bay’s knack for maximizing baserunning and defense makes Overn an interesting fit. And that competitive-balance Round A pick gives the Rays another shot at premium amateur talent plus over $2.5 million in bonus pool space—draft currency they’ve used masterfully before.

Rays’ Roster Shuffle Continues with Lowe Trade Talks

This Baz deal isn’t happening in a vacuum. Tampa Bay is reportedly closing in on a three-way trade that would send second baseman Brandon Lowe to the Pittsburgh Pirates for Jacob Melton and Anderson Brito.

It’s just another sign the Rays are retooling on the fly as the AL East tightens and costs creep up.

 
Here is the source article for this story: O’s acquire P Baz from Rays for prospects, pick