Baltimore Orioles Make Trade With Detroit Tigers Days Before Deadline

The Detroit Tigers are at the center of the upcoming MLB trade deadline. With two-time Cy Young Award winner Tarik Skubal expected to be traded, all eyes are on who wins his services from the Tigers.

Entering the 2026 MLB season, the Baltimore Orioles would have been a team many predicted to be buyers at the deadline, and potentially even Skubal suitors. Looking to make strides in a difficult American League East division, the Orioles made some big swings in the winter, but failed to land a Tier 1 starting arm that they were reportedly after.

The season has gone a different direction for Baltimore, and while the Orioles are still very much in the American League wild-card picture, there is certainly a group of teams above them when looking at the overall AL pennant chase. That almost certainly takes them out of any discussions for a Skubal-type deal, but the Orioles and Tigers did make a trade on Thursday.

After Detroit designated veteran catcher Jake Rogers for assignment, the team has agreed to send him to the Orioles in exchange for Zane Barnhart (via Tigers PR). Skubal and Rogers have a close bond, as the catcher had been Skubal's primary batterymate over the years, specifically in 2024 when he won his first Cy Young Award.

Speaking with the media after Rogers was designated for assignment, Skubal said he had no concerns about Rogers and his career, knowing he would soon land on his feet with a new team.

He has done just that, landing with the Orioles, where he will provide organizational catching depth.

Never much of an offensive threat, Rogers owns just a 78 OPS+ in his career, but has shown signs of production in recent years, particularly against left-handed pitching. For his career, Rogers has a .749 OPS against lefties, which is more than serviceable for a catcher.

He had his best offensive year in 2021, albeit with a small sample size, when he posted a .802 OPS in 127 plate appearances. He did not play in 2022 due to injury, but returned in 2023 with a 98 OPS+, which is just below average, but acceptable for someone who is providing defensive value behind the plate.

At 31 years old, Rogers will provide some leadership to the Orioles organization and is widely regarded as one of the best clubhouse guys in MLB. This could be one of many deals Baltimore swings before the deadline.