The Baltimore Orioles went all-in with a gutsy trade for right-hander Shane Baz. They gave up a hefty package of prospects and a draft pick for a pitcher who just posted an ERA close to 5.00.
At the same time, they shook up the middle of their lineup by signing slugger Pete Alonso. Somehow, they’re still saying there’s room for former top prospect Coby Mayo.
This article digs into what the Baz deal means for the rotation. There’s also a look at how park factors might unlock his upside, and how Alonso’s arrival changes Baltimore’s offensive outlook.
Orioles Bet Big on Shane Baz’s Upside
The headline move is obvious: Baltimore paid a steep price to get Shane Baz, sending four prospects and a draft pick to Tampa Bay. For a pitcher whose last season ended with an ERA near 5.00, that’s a pretty bold statement from Mike Elias and the Orioles’ front office.
Elias isn’t buying into the surface stats. He’s pushing a vision of Baz as a front-of-the-rotation starter, maybe even a No. 1 or No. 2 arm down the line.
That’s not just wishful thinking. It’s about context, the run environment, and a hunch that Camden Yards could give Baz a much better shot than he had in Tampa.
Why the Orioles Believe the ERA Is Misleading
Elias pointed to two things: bad luck and ballpark conditions. Baz posted a rough 5.90 ERA at George M. Steinbrenner Field, but a much more reasonable 3.86 ERA on the road.
That’s a massive split. The Orioles clearly think the real Baz looks a lot more like the road version.
Steinbrenner Field, by most accounts, played extremely hitter-friendly, especially for right-handed hitters. Baz’s profile—reverse splits, more vulnerable to righties—just didn’t fit there.
More fly balls left the yard, more damage piled up, and his numbers took a hit. Baltimore doesn’t see a broken pitcher here.
They see a talented arm whose performance got warped by a tough home park and some bad luck.
Camden Yards as a Better Fit for Baz
Camden Yards still leans a bit toward hitters, but the details matter. Baltimore’s front office believes the park now suppresses right-handed power better than Steinbrenner Field did.
That’s a big deal for a pitcher with Baz’s reverse splits. If the environment helps keep the ball in the park, Baz could attack right-handed hitters with a lot more confidence.
Fewer home runs allowed, longer outings—maybe even a little swagger. If Baz’s home run rate comes back to earth in Baltimore, those ugly ERA headlines could fade fast.
Where Baz Fits in the Orioles’ Rotation Picture
The Orioles aren’t treating Baz as a reclamation project. They’re plugging him right into the heart of a rotation that wants to level up from “good enough” to championship material.
Baz is expected to open as the No. 3 starter, behind Kyle Bradish and Trevor Rogers. That’s a strong top three—if they can all stay healthy and close to their potential.
Stability at the Top, Questions at the Back
Behind Baz, things get a bit shaky. Dean Kremer is back and reliable, but after that, it’s a mix of uncertainty and unfinished development.
Tyler Wells is trying to return from injury. Several young arms failed to grab rotation spots in 2025, so the back end is still unsettled.
For a team with postseason dreams, that’s a little nerve-wracking. Elias has said the front office isn’t done shopping.
Baltimore’s already been linked to several high-end pitching options:
One interesting wrinkle: by moving a draft pick in the Baz trade, the Orioles have reduced the draft-pick penalty for signing a qualifying-offer free agent. That makes chasing top pitching a bit easier on the asset side.
Pete Alonso’s Arrival and the Coby Mayo Question
While the rotation got a high-upside arm, the lineup added a serious bat. Baltimore’s choice to sign Pete Alonso instantly boosts the middle of the order.
Alonso is a natural first baseman and a classic middle-of-the-lineup power guy. That creates an immediate ripple for how the Orioles split up at-bats at first base and DH.
Finding At-Bats for Coby Mayo
The Alonso signing raises an obvious question: where does that leave Coby Mayo? Once billed as a future lineup anchor, Mayo finished last season with a strong September. That late surge really brought back some hope about his long-term impact.
Elias says there’s still a clear path for Mayo to get meaningful plate appearances. The plan is to spread his opportunities across several spots:
That positional flexibility—whether it’s real or just a goal—will matter a lot. With Alonso set in a main role and the roster already crowded with young position players, the Orioles have to get creative if they want to keep Mayo’s bat in the mix while staying competitive.
Here is the source article for this story: Orioles Notes: Baz, Mayo, Rotation Additions
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