The Baltimore Orioles and Tampa Bay Rays just pulled off one of the boldest pitching moves of the offseason. Mike Elias finally landed the power arm he’s chased since high school: Shane Baz.
This trade isn’t just about Baz. It’s a statement—Baltimore’s going for it, and the Rays are, as usual, willing to sacrifice now for what’s next.
Orioles Finally Land Shane Baz After Years of Pursuit
When Mike Elias sees Shane Baz take the mound at Camden Yards in 2025, it’ll cap off more than eight years of tracking and waiting. Elias first noticed Baz as a high school standout, and the Orioles never really took their eyes off him.
Baltimore had to pay a hefty price to pry Baz away from Tampa Bay. The return reflects both his upside and the years of club control left.
Baltimore Pays a Premium Prospect Package
The Orioles sent a significant haul to their AL East rival. The outgoing package includes:
For Baltimore, that’s a lot to give up. But Baz is the kind of arm you overpay for if you think you’re on the edge of something big.
Why Shane Baz Is Worth the Gamble for Baltimore
Baz arrives with three more seasons of club control and the ceiling of a true No. 1 starter. The Orioles picture a rotation with Baz, Trevor Rogers, and Kyle Bradish—a trio they hope can match anyone in the AL in a short series.
Even after this deal, the Orioles aren’t done. They’re still looking for more pitching depth and roster help, clearly signaling they’re not settling for just making the playoffs.
Underlying Metrics Tell a Different Story Than the ERA
Baz’s 4.87 ERA in his first full season back from Tommy John surgery doesn’t exactly jump off the page. But scouts and analysts look deeper.
Baz averaged 97 mph on his fastball and paired it with secondary pitches that draw comparisons to arms like Hunter Brown and Paul Skenes. His strikeout and chase rates, along with quality-of-contact numbers, all point to a pitcher whose stuff is already elite. His command should only improve as he gets further from surgery.
Rays Focus on Long-Term Value and System Reshaping
For Tampa Bay, this isn’t a white flag for 2025. It’s more of a recalibration, which is kind of their thing.
The Rays didn’t move Baz because they doubted his talent. They just think the long-term value of prospects and draft capital fits their plan better.
Farm System Reloaded Through Prospects and Picks
By adding Bodine, de Brun, Forret, and Overn—plus that Competitive Balance Round A pick—the Rays reshaped their pipeline in one swoop. Early internal reviews suggest the trade will push six new players into their organizational top 30, instantly deepening their farm system.
The extra draft pick gives Tampa Bay more flexibility on draft day. That means more money, more leverage, and more chances to chase upside other teams might skip.
The Three-Team Deal Ripple Effect
This Baz trade didn’t happen in isolation. A separate three-team deal involving the Pirates and Astros, which started with Houston’s interest in Baz, ended up giving Tampa Bay even more minor-league depth.
While Baz went to Baltimore, the Rays turned Houston’s pursuit into extra prospects. They took one asset and spun it into several—a move that just feels very Rays.
Tampa Bay Still Aims to Stay Competitive in 2025
Even after moving some established big leaguers, the Rays aren’t treating 2025 as a lost year. They’ve added players like Cedric Mullins and Steven Matz, hoping this group can still grind out 84–85 wins.
In the AL East, that might still mean last place, but for the Rays, hovering around .500 while reloading is part of the plan.
AL East Arms Race and What Comes Next for Baltimore
The trade just underlines how intense the competition is in the division. The Blue Jays, Red Sox, Yankees, and now especially the Orioles keep pushing chips in, making the AL East about as unforgiving as it gets.
For Baltimore, Baz is just one piece of a wild offseason that’s completely changed expectations—inside and outside the clubhouse.
Baz Joins an Aggressive Orioles Offseason Overhaul
The Orioles have shifted from “promising upstart” to “full-fledged contender” this offseason.
So far, they’ve brought in:
Now, with Baz joining that group, the Orioles are clearly going all-in on their current core.
Will this trade turn out to be genius or just a big gamble? That’s going to take years to play out, honestly.
But right now, it feels like the kind of bold move a team makes when it’s convinced the window is wide open.
Here is the source article for this story: Why Orioles and Rays made the Shane Baz trade – and how it benefits both AL East rivals
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