New Oriole Shane Baz embraces Camden Yards.
The Baltimore Orioles made a big move in December when they traded for right-hander Shane Baz from the Tampa Bay Rays, and the 26-year-old pitcher is already looking forward to his new home ballpark.
A Favorite Place to Pitch
Baz made it clear that he has always had a special connection to Oriole Park at Camden Yards.
When speaking with media after the trade, he shared his excitement about joining Baltimore.
"I think that's always been one of my favorite stadiums, favorite places to pitch," Baz said.
The right-hander also talked about the thrill of joining a team that has been aggressive this offseason and is looking to bounce back from a disappointing 2025 campaign.
He noted that the excitement of joining such a talented roster quickly took over any surprise he felt when he first learned about the deal.
A Fresh Start After a Rough 2025
Baz is coming off an up-and-down 2025 season where he posted a 4.87 ERA with 176 strikeouts across 166.1 innings in 31 starts for the Rays.
While those numbers were not great, there is reason to believe he can return to form in 2026.
His struggles were largely tied to pitching at George M. Steinbrenner Field, the minor league ballpark that served as Tampa Bay's temporary home.
At that hitter-friendly venue, Baz had a 5.90 ERA in 16 starts, but on the road he looked like a different pitcher with a much better 3.86 ERA in 15 outings.
When comparing his 2025 season to his 2024 campaign, the difference is clear. In 2024, Baz returned from Tommy John surgery and posted a 3.06 ERA with a 1.06 WHIP across 79 innings in 14 starts.
He was sharp and showed the stuff that made him a first-round pick back in 2017.
The hope in Baltimore is that moving to Camden Yards, a more pitcher-friendly environment, will help him get back to that level of performance.
Orioles Still Looking for More Rotation Help
The Orioles finished the 2025 season with a 75-87 record and a last-place finish in the American League East.
Starting pitching was a major problem all year, so acquiring Baz was just one step in what has been an aggressive offseason for president of baseball operations Mike Elias.
Even after landing Baz, Baltimore is not done shopping.
According to recent reports, the Orioles remain interested in free agent left-handers Framber Valdez and Ranger Suárez, who are two of the best starters still available on the market.
Valdez, a durable workhorse who threw over 176 innings in each of his last four seasons, has been connected to Baltimore throughout the offseason.
Suárez, meanwhile, posted a 3.20 ERA in 157.1 innings for the Philadelphia Phillies in 2025 and has an impressive 1.48 career postseason ERA.
The Orioles have already spent big this winter, signing first baseman Pete Alonso, closer Ryan Helsley, and bringing back Zach Eflin.
With Baz now in the fold and more moves potentially on the way, Baltimore is sending a clear message that they are ready to compete in 2026.
For Baz, the chance to call one of his favorite ballparks home could be exactly what he needs to take his game to the next level.