Baltimore Orioles agree $68m contract extension with pitcher Shane Baz
Right-hander Shane Baz has agreed a five-year contract extension worth $68m with the Baltimore Orioles to secure his long-term future in Major League Baseball.
The lucrative agreement fortifies the Maryland team’s starting rotation following the pitcher’s acquisition in a major winter trade.
He is expected to slot into the middle of a heavily revamped pitching staff for the upcoming campaign.
The long-term deal will begin this year, covering three arbitration seasons and buying out two free-agent years.
Overcoming a history of injuries
Once regarded as one of baseball’s premier pitching prospects, the 26-year-old has been restricted to just 286 major league innings because of severe fitness issues.
He underwent a pair of elbow surgeries in 2022, including an ulnar collateral ligament reconstruction.
Those extensive operations forced the former first-round draft pick to miss the entirety of 2023 and half of the 2024 season.
However, he managed a significant workload last year for Tampa Bay, throwing 166.1 innings and registering an impressive 176 strikeouts.
Baltimore bets on premium velocity
The franchise paid a high price for the former Pittsburgh draftee over the winter, trading four prospects and a 2026 draft pick to secure his services.
That significant investment reflects immense confidence in a devastating five-pitch arsenal.
The right-hander boasts a fastball that routinely reaches 99 mph, complemented by a wicked knuckle curve.
Although his 4.87 ERA last season was above the league average, his elite strikeout numbers suggest a return to top form.
A transformed starting rotation
Starting pitching proved to be a critical weakness for Baltimore last year as they finished with a 75-87 record and missed the postseason.
Management aggressively addressed those deficiencies over the winter with several veteran additions.
Free agents Chris Bassitt and Zach Eflin were signed to bring vital experience to the clubhouse.
They join an increasingly formidable group that features opening-day starter Trevor Rogers and the returning Kyle Bradish.
