The Orioles claimed Bryan Baker from the Blue Jays all the way back in November 2021. The move came shortly after the team reinstated Jorge López and DJ Stewart from the 60-day injured list. Baker went
on to join fellow relievers Paul Fry, Dillon Tate and Joey Krehbiel on the 2022 Opening Day roster.
Baker outlasted all of those guys in Baltimore. He joined the Orioles with only one inning of MLB experience and proceeded to make 173 appearances for the O’s. He posted a 3.49 ERA in his first year with the club and a 3.60 ERA in 2023. He rode the Norfolk shuttle in 2024 as the Orioles took advantage of his last minor league option.
Baker’s lack of options generated some buzz last spring. He eventually beat out Matt Bowman and Roansey Contreras for the final spot in Baltimore’s bullpen.
Almost every Orioles player struggled at the beginning of last year, but Baker represented one of the few exceptions. After surviving a roster battle, he pitched to a 3.52 ERA and 1.096 WHIP over 42 games in Black and Orange.
The Birds put together a decent run in June, but they dug too deep of a hole early in the year. With a fire sale becoming more likely by the day, Mike Elias made his first move on July 10. The Orioles sent Bryan Baker to a division foe in exchange for Tampa Bay’s competitive balance round draft pick.
Several players entered the month of July surrounded by trade rumors, but Baker had not been one of them. The 30-year-old was an affordable reliever under team control until 2029 and projected as a player that would help the club compete in 2026. With the benefit of hindsight, that’s what made him an attractive target for buying teams.
It may be premature to call the deal a “win” for either side, but Tampa must have had higher hopes when they sent the 37th pick to Baltimore in exchange for Baker. The righty posted a 4.75 ERA and 1.121 WHIP over 31 games for the Rays. Tampa Bay finished the year 77-85.
Baker remains under team control and can still help the Rays both next season and beyond. MLB Trade Rumors projects Baker to cost only $1.5 million and does not consider him a non-tender candidate this offseason.
Baker remains out of options as well. The Orioles bullpen lacked flexibility last season with veteran players like Gregory Soto and Seranthony Domínguez. Baltimore’s deadline deals freed up room for optionable pitchers like Kade Strowd. Relievers with options come in handy over the course of a 162 game season—look no further than Baker from 2022-2024.
The Orioles couldn’t wait until the trade deadline to complete the deal with the Rays. Competitive balance selections are the only tradable draft picks in baseball, and the Birds used the 37th pick later that week to select high school outfielder Slater de Brun out of Summit High School in Bend, Oregon.
de Brun—aka “Lily Slayyy”—entered the draft as MLB Pipeline’s 24th best prospect. The Birds nabbed him with an overslot $4 million bonus to stave off his attendance at Vanderbilt. The Birds were immediately celebrated for gaining significant value at the 37th pick. MLB Pipeline currently ranks de Brun as Baltimore’s sixth best prospect.
Baseball America describes de Brun as a dynamic outfielder with “elite speed, contact skills and center field defense.” The Orioles took high-floor college prospects in Ike Irish, Caden Bodine and Wehiwa Aloy, but de Brun projects as a talented player that will need some time in the minors.
Some expressed frustration with the Orioles dealing a controllable asset in Baker for a player that will not help the team compete in 2026. However, de Brun likely represents the highest long term value that Baltimore could gain in exchange for Baker. Elias wants to win in 2026, but de Brun could make a real difference for the Birds at the end of the decade. In the same vein, he could be used as a tradable asset—or depth to offset the loss of another asset—in a deal that brings MLB talent to Baltimore.
Baker earned the reputation of a grinder during his time at Camden Yards. He showed emotion on the mound and never shied away from high-leverage opportunities. He likely hit his ceiling in Baltimore, and his absence would not have loomed nearly as large if the Orioles did not trade away Soto, Domínguez, and Andrew Kittredge while losing Félix Bautista to injury.
That being said, Tampa holds a strong reputation for helping pitchers reach their highest potential. The Rays must feel they can maximize Baker’s value moving forward. It will sting anytime that Baker retires the side against Baltimore, but the Orioles can get the last laugh if de Brun reaches his full potential.
