Overview
- Baltimore obtained the 26-year-old right-hander from Tampa Bay and sent four prospects headlined by Slater de Brun and Caden Bodine plus its Competitive Balance Round A pick (No. 33).
- Losing that pick moves the Orioles’ third-highest 2026 draft selection from No. 46 to No. 83, reducing the penalty for signing a qualifying-offer free-agent starter.
- Baz carries three years of team control and is expected to slot behind Kyle Bradish and Trevor Rogers in the Orioles’ 2026 rotation.
- He logged a 4.87 ERA over 31 starts in 2025, with pronounced splits — a 3.86 ERA on the road versus 5.90 at Tampa Bay’s temporary home — that Baltimore points to in assessing upside.
- Reports continue to connect the Orioles to free agents Framber Valdez, Ranger Suárez and Zac Gallen, with Freddy Peralta, Edward Cabrera and MacKenzie Gore cited as trade options.