Overview
- The Athletic reports Houston and Tampa Bay have discussed Baz, with no indication a deal is close or guaranteed.
- General manager Dana Brown said starting pitching is the offseason priority, with a focus on trades over expensive free agents.
- Baz, 26, is under club control through 2028 and is projected to earn about $3.1 million next season in arbitration.
- After returning from Tommy John surgery, Baz made 31 starts in 2025, posting a 10–12 record with a 4.87 ERA and 176 strikeouts in 166.1 innings.
- Tampa Bay is not pressured to move Baz and would likely seek MLB-ready pieces, while Houston’s thin farm has clubs targeting big leaguers such as Jake Meyers.