Orioles Facing Trevor Rogers Decision after Shane Baz's Contract Extension

Originally posted on Athlon Sports
By Xavier Constantino | Last updated Mar 27, 2026 5:38 PM ET

The Baltimore Orioles wasted no time signaling their intentions for the rotation’s future, locking up right-hander Shane Baz on a five-year, $68 million contract extension Friday. Now the question turns to the pitcher already at the top of that rotation.

The deal fortifies Baltimore’s starting staff long-term with the high-upside arm the Orioles acquired from the Tampa Bay Rays over the winter. At $13.6 million per year, the team controls him through 2030.

It’s a change in direction from Oriole’s general manager Mike Elias, who, for the most part, has strayed away from offering multi-year money for pitchers. That makes the Trevor Rogers situation all the more glaring.

BREAKING: Right-hander Shane Baz and the Baltimore Orioles are finalizing a five-year, $68 million contract extension, sources tell ESPN. Baz, 26, joined the Orioles in a trade from Tampa Bay this winter and is poised to get a big payday coming off his first full healthy season.
— Jeff Passan (@JeffPassan) March 27, 2026

Rogers, named the Opening Day Starter for 2026, went 9-3 with a 1.81 ERA and 103 strikeouts over 18 games in 2025. He settled on a one-year, $6.2 million deal to avoid arbitration this offseason and hits unrestricted free agency after the 2026 season. Yet as of Opening Day, there seemingly have been no extension talks.

The Orioles have been through a similar situation before. Corbin Burnes anchored the rotation, played out his contract and signed with the Arizona Diamondbacks before the 2025 season. Baltimore was left overhauling its staff this winter, bringing in veterans Chris Bassitt and Zach Eflin while trading four prospects to Tampa Bay for Baz.

Rogers has publicly expressed openness to staying in Baltimore. He has praised the organization and the city and said that he would do what is best for his family. The front office has not matched that openness with action.

The Baz extension changes the organizational method, or at least it should. Elias has now demonstrated a willingness to commit long-term dollars to a pitcher before reaching free agency, especially on a pitcher with a risky history like Baz’s.

The 26-year-old has struggled so far in his young career. He pitched just over 40 innings combined in 2021 and 2022, and missed all of 2023 recovering from Tommy John surgery. In 2025, his first fully healthy season, he had a 4.87 ERA with 171 strikeouts against 158 hits. Rogers, however, is the reigning staff ace who shut out the Minnesota Twins for seven innings on Opening Day.

Baltimore Orioles starting pitcher Trevor Rogers (28). © D. Ross Cameron-Imagn Images

If Rogers carries over his 2025 numbers into this season, the pressure on the front office will only grow. Letting him reach free agency after two dominant years would not just cost Baltimore a left-handed ace, it would confirm a pattern of watching proven arms walk out the door.

The Baz extension is a promising sign. Whether the Orioles act on it with Rogers before it is too late remains the more important question.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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