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Baltimore, which landed free agent slugger Pete Alonso with a
$155 million contract, is also trying to remake its pitching
staff after a poor 2025 and a trade that sent right-hander
Grayson Rodriguez to the Los Angeles Angels.
Baz was a first-round draft pick by Pittsburgh back in 2017, and
he was traded to Tampa Bay in 2018 in a deal that sent Chris
Archer to the Pirates. He was part of the U.S. Olympic team in
2021 before making his big league debut later that year.
He dealt with elbow problems in 2022 and eventually needed Tommy
John surgery.
Baz had a $1.45 million salary last season and is likely to
double that for 2026.
In the trade, the Rays acquired catcher Caden Bodine, outfielder
Slater de Brun, right-hander Michael Forret, outfielder Austin
Overn and a competitive balance pick (No. 33) in next year's
draft.
The Orioles designated left-hander Josh Walker for assignment to
make room on the 40-man roster.
Baltimore can keep Baz for at least three seasons before he
would become a free agent. To get him, the Orioles gave up
Bodine and de Brun, the 30th and 37th picks in this year's
draft. Bodine hit .326 in 11 games for Class A Delmarva.
The 21-year-old Forret went 2-2 with a 1.58 ERA in 74 innings
across Class A and Double-A in 2025.
Also Friday, the Orioles announced their 2026 big league
coaching staff under new manager Craig Albernaz: Pitching coach
Drew French, assistant pitching coach Mitch Plassmeyer, pitching
strategy coach Ryan Klimek and third base coach Buck Britton
remain on the staff. The team has added bench coach Donnie Ecker,
hitting coach Dustin Lind, assistant hitting coach Brady North,
first base coach Jason Bourgeois, bullpen coach Hank Conger,
infield coach Miguel Cairo and field coordinator and catching
coach Joe Singley.
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