Overview
- Baltimore finalized the five-year, $68 million agreement on Friday, a deal that covers Shane Baz’s remaining arbitration years and buys out his first two free-agent seasons to keep him under contract through 2030.
- Baz arrived in a December trade from the Rays that cost four prospects — Caden Bodine, Michael Forret, Slater de Brun and Austin Overn — plus a Competitive Balance Round A draft pick.
- The 26-year-old missed 2023 after Tommy John surgery and earlier arthroscopic elbow work, then logged a full 2025 with 31 starts, 176 strikeouts and a 4.87 ERA that scouts read as high-upside if health holds.
- Team leaders praised the move, with GM Mike Elias calling it a long-term cornerstone and owner David Rubenstein saying the club is “open for business,” a public sign the Orioles may pursue more extensions.
- In his Orioles debut, Baz worked 5 1/3 innings with no walks and four strikeouts, rebounded after a four-run second, and flashed a fastball that averaged about 97 mph and touched nearly 100.