Tampa Bay Rays pitcher Shane Baz Mitch Stringer-Imagn Images

The Orioles acquire the starter they need from the Rays in what could be an overpay

By Zachary Cariola | Last updated Dec 19, 2025 3:07 PM ET

Not often in Major League Baseball do division rivals come together for a trade, but it does happen. As the offseason turns, one of those rivalry trades has happened, with American League East opponents the Baltimore Orioles and the Tampa Bay Rays trading five players between them.

According to ESPN’s Jeff Passan, the Orioles are acquiring right-hander Shane Baz and sending the Rays two former first-rounders, outfielder Slater de Brun, and catcher Caden Bodine, while also sending right-hander Michael Forret, outfielder Austin Overn, and a Competitive Balance Round A pick to the Rays in return.

Going 10-12 with a 4.87 ERA in 166.1 innings (31 starts), Baz had a down year compared to 2024, when he had a 3.06 ERA in 79.1 innings (14 starts).

The price for SP on the trade market is high, and Baltimore paid it in sending two first-rounders (Bodine, deBrun), a breakout arm (Forret had a 1.58 ERA), an outfielder with track-star speed (Overn) as well as another first-round pick. First with Baz moving was @Ken_Rosenthal.
— Jeff Passan (@JeffPassan) December 19, 2025

The Orioles acquire the starter they needed after trading away Grayson Rodriguez

Though Baz is not the “Ace” the Orioles need, he will be a solid No. 3 and could develop into a potential No. 2. The Orioles had a depleted starting rotation after trading away right-hander Grayson Rodriguez to the Los Angeles Angels for outfielder Taylor Ward to give them a power bat in their lineup.

Still needing an “Ace” after having a bottom-six rotation (24th with a 4.65 ERA), the Orioles could still potentially make a trade for another starter to give them that “Ace” they need, according to The Athletics' Ken Rosenthal on his appearance on “Foul Territory.”

“This offseason has been a dramatic departure for them. And it's not just Alonso. It's not just Taylor Ward it's not just Ryan Helsley. Now it's Shane Baz and they've added Andrew Kittredge and others as well. This has been the most aggressive we have seen. Mike Elias as their president of baseball operations, previously their general manager, and they are probably not done yet. I would not be surprised if they went out and maybe signed or traded for another starting pitcher.”

With still having the prospect capital to get a deal done, the Orioles could be in play for the Detroit Tigers' Tarik Skubal, mirroring their trade for Corbin Burnes when he was with the Milwaukee Brewers.

Zachary Cariola

My name is Zachary Cariola and I have been a sports fan for as long as I can remember. My areas of expertise are MLB, NBA, and NFL. When I’m not writing, I love spending time with my family and learning history.

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