Orioles make $68 million contract decision on offseason Rays trade pickup

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Orioles make $68 million contract decision on offseason Rays trade pickup originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

The Baltimore Orioles began their 2026 MLB season by seeing Trevor Rogers dominate the Minnesota Twins and get confirmation that they have a great starter leading the rotation.

But, after Rogers, there are some questions about the rotation. One of those questions was seemingly resolved with the offseason trade pickup of former Tampa Bay Rays starting pitcher Shane Baz.

And before Baz has made his first start for the Orioles, according to Jeff Passan of ESPN, the Orioles have made a huge $68 million contract extension decision a day after Opening Day.

Orioles extend Shane Baz on $68M deal over five years​

"BREAKING: Right-hander Shane Baz and the Baltimore Orioles are finalizing a five-year, $68 million contract extension, sources tell ESPN," Passan reports.

This is a big commitment from the Orioles, as they are extending Baz long-term despite the righty not having once pitched for the Orioles in the regular season yet.

The 26-year-old righty is under club control through the 2028 season, so this five-year extension will, if it begins this season, keep Baz under contract through 2030.

While he's yet to start for the Orioles in the regular season, his three spring training starts went well. He posted a 2.61 ERA in three starts across 10.1 innings pitched, striking out 14 and walking just four in the process.

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In his Major League career, Baz has had a 4.25 ERA in 54 starts since 2021. He missed all of 2023 due to injury and made just 14 appearances in 2024, though he had a 3.06 ERA.

Last season for the Rays, his last season for Tampa Bay before the blockbuster trade with the Orioles in the offseason, he had a 4.87 ERA in 31 starts. Not the best season, but there was still enough promise to make trading for him worth it in the Orioles' eyes.

Baz is lined up to have his first Orioles start on Sunday, March 29, against the Minnesota Twins. He will make that start, his first in an Orioles uniform, a few days after his $68 million deal with Baltimore was announced.

More MLB news:​

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• Dodgers’ Roki Sasaki will return to rotation, not bullpen according Dave Roberts
• Braves predicted to trade Bryce Elder for Lars Nootbaar
• This 19-year MLB record is finally over for the Giants
• Luis Gil sent down to minor leagues in strange Yankees roster move
• Jacob DeGrom is only 149 strikeouts from 2,000 for his career
• Three ways Pirates' Paul Skenes could lose NL Cy Young Award

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