Continuing the Orioles’ busy offseason, this afternoon ESPN’s Jeff Passan was the first to report that the Birds traded outfielder Slater de Brun, catcher Caden Bodine, RHP Michael Forret, and OF Austin Overn, along with a Competitive Balance Round A pick to the Tampa Bay Rays in exchange for RHP Shane Baz.
Bodine and de Brun were both drafted by the Birds just this past summer, the catcher 30th overall and the outfielder known as “Lil Slay” 37th. Forret was a 14th-round pick in 2023, and posted a 1.58 ERA in 74.0 IP between Aberdeen and Chesapeake last season. Overn was the Birds’ third-rounder in 2024, and hit .249/.355/.399 with 13 homers and 43 RBI in 401 AB between Aberdeen and Chesapeake in 2024.
So much for Mike Elias hoarding prospects, eh?
Y'all said you wanted this Mike Elias, now you got him pic.twitter.com/kSX3KY0iMw
— Eutaw Street Report (@EutawStReport) December 19, 2025
Whether what we are seeing from the Warehouse is a result of self-reflection regarding the errors of the past few seasons, a “win now” proclamation from the owner’s box, or a combination of the two, this is just not the kind of move Elias has made since taking over in Baltimore.
Other moves (such as DL Hall-Joey Ortiz-for-Corbin Burnes or Connor Norby-Kyle Stowers-for-Trevor Rogers) may feel a bit similar, but they included MLB-ready players who had no spot on the big-league club. This one, by contrast, is sending players away who likely would not be contributing at the highest level for at least two or three more years.
It’s the kind of thing much of Birdland has been begging for. While some segments will be complaining about it being an “overpay,” for my money I’m fine with that. Insisting on “winning” every trade is a losing proposition. Everything in baseball now is an overpay. Go get your Dudes!
HOLY BLOCKBUSTER
Shane Baz is headed to Baltimore. Elite velocity. Filthy stuff. A prime bounce back candidate.
Getting out of the home run factory that is George M. Steinbrenner Field only raises the ceiling. Massive move for the O’s. https://t.co/X0baM2ptgM pic.twitter.com/ZXmg0JjFQ8
— Pitch Profiler (@pitchprofiler) December 19, 2025
Now, let’s talk about Shane Baz. The Pittsburgh Pirates’ first-round pick (12th overall) in 2017, Baz went to Tampa in that Chris Archer deal. He underwent Tommy John Surgery in 2022 and then missed all of 2023.
In 2024, his numbers weren’t spectacular upon first glance. But as Andy Kostka of The Baltimore Banner noted on his social media platforms, he had a 5.90 ERA in 82.1 innings at the minor-league park the Rays played their home games in, and a 3.86 in 84 innings elsewhere.
He has three years of club control remaining. Look at it like this: the Birds, this winter, have swapped Grayson Rodriguez for a guy who is just as talented (if not more), but who has already gone under the knife. They sacrificed a year of team control to do so.
Keith Law loves Baz as a breakout candidate in 2026. Writing at The Athletic, Law says this:
In 2025, Baz averaged 97 MPH on his four-seamer with some riding life, pitching with it primarily at the top of the zone, while showing a plus curvevall and average cutter. he moved to a kick-change over the summer, away from a changeup that was almost dead straight, and it looks like it will become at least a 55 pitch (on the 20-80 scouting scale) if the command improves over time. He’s on the upswing, for sure, and after years of injuries, including a torn UCL that led to Tommy John surgery, he’s made 55 starts in a row over two years. I’m in.
Ken Rosenthal says the O’s aren’t done.
The Orioles likely aren't done after acquiring Shane Baz, says @Ken_Rosenthal.
"I would not be surprised if they went out and maybe signed or traded for another starting pitcher." pic.twitter.com/CDr6cu0cmJ
— Foul Territory (@FoulTerritoryTV) December 19, 2025
“I would not be surprised if they went out and maybe signed or traded for another starting pitcher.”
That’s music to the ears of Birdland.
So to sum up the offseason so far:
Pete Alonso
PETE ALONSO!
(Seriously, Pete Alonso is an Oriole!)
Shane Baz
Merry Christmas indeed, O’s fans!
