Orioles Bet Big on Shane Baz With $68 Million Extension

Baltimore locks up promising young starter before his Camden Yards debut.

Mar. 28, 2026 at 2:42pm

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The Baltimore Orioles are finalizing a five-year, $68 million contract extension with right-handed pitcher Shane Baz, acquired in a December trade from the Tampa Bay Rays. The deal buys out Baz's arbitration years and stretches the team's control into his early free agent seasons, signaling the Orioles' belief in the 26-year-old's high-upside potential despite an injury history that has limited his major league innings so far.

Why it matters

The Baz extension is part of a broader push by the Orioles to lock in cost certainty across a young core as the team aims to engineer a quick rebound in the competitive AL East. Baz represents a potential frontline starter that Baltimore is betting on to anchor the rotation alongside other young arms like Kyle Bradish and Trevor Rogers.

The details

The Orioles sent a hefty package to Tampa Bay in December to acquire Baz, including outfielders Slater de Brun and Austin Overn, catcher Caden Bodine, right-hander Michael Forret, and a Competitive Balance Round A draft pick. Despite Baz's relatively light major league workload of 286 innings due to elbow surgeries, the Orioles are betting that more health and innings in 2026 will unlock his high ceiling. Baz set career highs last year with 31 starts, 166⅓ innings, and 176 strikeouts while posting a 4.87 ERA.

  • The Orioles and Baz are expected to complete the extension before his Camden Yards debut against the Minnesota Twins.
  • Baz missed the 2023 season and part of 2024 due to elbow surgeries.

The players

Shane Baz

A 26-year-old right-handed pitcher acquired by the Orioles from the Tampa Bay Rays in December 2025.

Baltimore Orioles

A Major League Baseball team based in Baltimore, Maryland that is aggressively adding power bats and pitching as part of a push to engineer a quick rebound in the competitive AL East.

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What they’re saying

“The Orioles are backing their belief in Shane Baz with serious cash before he even throws a pitch in front of the home crowd.”

— Aubrey Green, Author

What’s next

Once the Baz extension is finalized, the immediate focus will turn to spring health updates and how the Orioles line up their rotation in early April.

The takeaway

The Baz extension represents a high-risk, high-reward bet by the Orioles on a young pitcher with premium stuff but an injury history. If Baz can stay healthy and reach his potential, the deal could prove to be a bargain for Baltimore as it builds around a young core. However, the long-term commitment also carries significant financial risk if Baz's injury issues persist.