The MLB Winter Meetings might be over, but that does not mean the moves stop as we get closer to the 2026 season.
According to multiple industry sources, the Baltimore Orioles have acquired right-hander Shane Baz from the Tampa Bay Rays in exchange for prospects Slater de Brun, Caden Bodine, Michael Forret, Austin Overn and a Competitive Balance Round A pick.
Baz was drafted by the Pittsburgh Pirates with the 12th overall pick in 2017. At the 2018 trade deadline, the Pirates sent him, Tyler Glasnow and Austin Meadows to the Rays in exchange for right-hander Chris Archer.
Baz played four seasons with the Rays and posted a 4.25 ERA in 54 career starts. He pitched 286 innings, gave up 135 earned runs, walked 103 batters and struck out 293.
The 26-year-old has a career 3.2 BB/9 and 9.2 K/9 and, just for fun, has a career 0.56 ERA in three starts at Camden Yards.
Although Baz had a 4.87 ERA this past season, he set career-highs in starts made (31), innings pitched (166.1) and strikeouts (176).
Ranked sixth in the Orioles’ farm system, Slater de Brun has yet to play in a minor league game and will debut with the Rays system in 2026.
The Orioles also added 2025 draft pick, catcher Caden Bodine, to the deal, who played in 11 games and posted a .326/.408/.349 slash line with 14 hits and four RBIs.
Also included in the deal is right-hander Michael Forret, who had a career year in 2024. Forret compiled a 1.58 ERA in 19 games, including 18 starts, tossing 74 innings, giving up 40 hits, walking 21 and striking out 91 between his time with High-A Aberdeen and Double-A Chesapeake.
The final piece of the trade is outfielder Austin Overn, who earned a .754 OPS in 114 games last season, when he collected 100 hits, 13 doubles, 13 home runs and 64 stolen bases.
Baz is under team control until 2029 and will slot into the backend of a rotation that features Trevor Rogers and Kyle Bradish.
To make room for Baz on the 40-man roster, the Orioles have designated left-hander Josh Walker for assignment.
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