Red Sox Division Rival Reportedly Signs Pitcher To 5-Year Extension
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One of the Boston Red Sox's American League East opponents hopes to have found a long-term rotation cornerstone.
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The Baltimore Orioles signed Shane Baz to a five-year, $68 million extension, according to ESPN's Jeff Passan. Baz received the new deal before making his Orioles debut.
Baltimore acquired Baz from the Tampa Bay Rays this offseason. The Orioles sent four prospects (Slater de Brun, Caden Bodine, Michael Forret, Austin Overn) and the No. 33 competitive balance pick in this year's draft to their division rival.
The trade return and contract both indicate considerable confidence that Baz will bounce back from a shaky 2025. While he stayed healthy after years of injury issues, the right-hander registered a 4.87 ERA in 31 starts.
Baz also stockpiled 176 strikeouts in 166 1/3 innings, so the Orioles may believe a 3.86 expected ERA and 3.95 SIERA better reflect his true abilities. Those results would benefit Baltimore after Trevor Rogers was their only pitcher to post an ERA below 4.00 in more than six starts last year.
Baz joins Rogers, Kyle Bradish, Zach Eflin and Chris Bassitt in a rotation that could bring Baltimore back to playoff contention after going 75-87 last season. The Orioles also added significant power to their lineup by signing first baseman Pete Alonso and acquiring left fielder Taylor Ward from the Los Angeles Angels.
While Baz had three more seasons of arbitration eligibility, the extension keeps the 26-year-old under contract for two more years through 2030. He's scheduled to start against the Minnesota Twins this Sunday.
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