Orioles Sign Pitcher Shane Baz to 5-Year, $68M Extension

The deal keeps the talented right-hander in Baltimore through 2030.

Mar. 28, 2026 at 1:19am

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The Baltimore Orioles have agreed to a five-year, $68 million contract extension with pitcher Shane Baz, who was acquired in a trade with the Tampa Bay Rays this past offseason. The extension, the largest ever given to a pitcher in Orioles history, will keep Baz in Baltimore through at least the 2030 season.

Why it matters

Retaining young, talented pitchers like Baz is crucial for the Orioles as they look to build a championship-caliber roster and end their playoff drought. The extension demonstrates the team's commitment to investing in their core players and provides stability and continuity for the pitching staff.

The details

The 26-year-old Baz was traded to the Orioles in December 2025 in exchange for several prospects and a draft pick. Last season, he had a 4.87 ERA across 31 starts. Over his career, Baz has a 4.25 ERA with 293 strikeouts in 286 innings. The new deal will forgo his final two years of arbitration eligibility.

  • The extension was agreed to on March 28, 2026.
  • Baz was acquired by the Orioles in a trade on December 19, 2025.

The players

Shane Baz

A 26-year-old right-handed pitcher who was recently acquired by the Baltimore Orioles in a trade with the Tampa Bay Rays.

David Rubenstein

The owner of the Baltimore Orioles, who stated that the extension with Baz continues the team's drive to build a championship-caliber roster.

Mike Elias

The president of baseball operations for the Baltimore Orioles, who expressed excitement about keeping Baz in Baltimore long-term.

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What they’re saying

“This agreement with Shane continues our drive to build a championship-caliber roster. We thank Shane for his commitment to Baltimore, the Orioles and our great fans.”

— David Rubenstein, Orioles Owner

“We were ecstatic to acquire a pitcher of Shane's talent during the offseason and are thrilled we could come to a long-term agreement to keep him in Baltimore.”

— Mike Elias, Orioles President of Baseball Operations

What’s next

The Orioles will look to build around Baz as a key part of their starting rotation, as they aim to end their playoff drought and compete for a championship in the coming years.

The takeaway

The Orioles' investment in Baz demonstrates their commitment to developing and retaining top young talent as they work to build a sustainable winner in Baltimore. This extension provides stability and optimism for the team's future on the mound.