The Baltimore Orioles have made a significant move by acquiring right-handed pitcher Shane Baz from the Tampa Bay Rays, as reported by ESPN’s Jeff Passan. This transaction is part of a multi-player trade that strengthens the Orioles’ pitching options for the coming seasons.
Details of the Trade
The Rays will receive several prospects in exchange for Baz. The full list includes:
- Outfielder Slater de Brun
- Catcher Caden Bodine
- Right-handed pitcher Michael Forret
- Outfielder Austin Overn
- A Competitive Balance Round A draft pick
Shane Baz’s Performance
Shane Baz, aged 26, had a mixed year in the majors during his first full season in 2025. He recorded a 4.87 earned run average (ERA) over 166.1 innings of play, achieving a notable 176 strikeouts. Despite his potential, he faced challenges with baserunners and home runs throughout the season.
A former top prospect, Baz was ranked No. 8 on MLB Pipeline’s Top 100 list in 2022. His MLB debut occurred in 2021, but he underwent Tommy John surgery in 2022, affecting his early career development.
Prospects Sent to the Rays
The Rays have acquired promising young talent from the Orioles. Here’s a summary of the players involved:
- Slater de Brun (18): A first-round pick in the 2025 MLB Entry Draft, de Brun has not yet played professionally.
- Caden Bodine (21): Also a first-round selection in 2025, Bodine had a solid start with a .326 batting average in Single-A.
- Michael Forret (21): He impressed with a combined 1.58 ERA over 19 games in the Orioles’ system.
- Austin Overn: Hit .249 with 13 home runs while dividing time between High-A and Double-A.
This trade follows the Orioles’ recent deal that sent former top prospect Grayson Rodriguez to the Los Angeles Angels in exchange for outfielder Taylor Ward, highlighting Baltimore’s strategic approach to bolstering their roster.
Impact on the Orioles
The acquisition of Shane Baz is a strategic move for the Orioles as they continue to build a competitive team. His experience and skill set are expected to benefit the pitching staff significantly.
As the offseason progresses, fans will be watching closely how these changes impact the Orioles’ performance in the upcoming season.
