Orioles Sign Pitcher Shane Baz to $68M Contract

Deal includes escalators for Cy Young Award wins in 2028 and 2029

Mar. 31, 2026 at 3:20pm

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A cubist, geometric painting depicting a baseball pitcher's windup and delivery broken down into sharp, overlapping planes of navy, green, and orange, conveying the complex, multi-faceted nature of elite pitching performance.The Orioles' long-term investment in rising star pitcher Shane Baz signals their commitment to building a competitive team through strategic player development.Baltimore Today

The Baltimore Orioles have signed pitcher Shane Baz to a 5-year, $68 million contract. The deal includes escalator clauses that would increase Baz's pay by $12.5 million if he wins the Cy Young Award in 2028 and 2029.

Why it matters

This contract represents a significant investment by the Orioles in their pitching staff, signaling their intent to compete in the coming years. Baz's potential Cy Young bonuses also highlight the high expectations the team has for the young pitcher.

The details

Baz's contract includes a $4 million signing bonus, with half payable within 30 days. The deal would escalate by $12.5 million if Baz wins the Cy Young Award in 2028 and 2029, reflecting the Orioles' belief in his ability to become one of the league's elite pitchers.

  • The contract was signed on March 31, 2026.

The players

Shane Baz

A promising young pitcher who the Orioles have signed to a 5-year, $68 million contract.

Baltimore Orioles

The Major League Baseball team that has signed Shane Baz to a lucrative contract, signaling their intent to compete in the coming years.

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What’s next

The Orioles will be hoping that Baz can live up to the expectations set by his contract and potentially win the Cy Young Award in 2028 and 2029, which would trigger the escalator clauses and increase his total earnings.

The takeaway

This contract represents a significant investment by the Orioles in their pitching staff, as they look to build a competitive team in the coming years. The inclusion of Cy Young Award escalators highlights the high expectations the team has for Baz and their belief in his potential to become one of the league's elite pitchers.