The Baltimore Orioles' decision to trade reliever Bryan Baker to the Tampa Bay Rays has backfired after Baker produced a career-best, All-Star season in 2026.
Baltimore sent Baker to Tampa Bay for the 37th overall pick in the MLB Draft while the club sat 12.5 games back in the American League East.
Before the trade, Baker had recorded a 3.52 ERA with two saves over 42 relief appearances for the Orioles.
Orioles general manager Mike Elias said the club was not actively shopping Baker and described Tampa Bay's offer as a rare, aggressive opportunity.
Baker's All-Star Turn with Tampa Bay
With the Rays, Baker took over as closer and went 4-2 with a 1.44 ERA, a 0.914 WHIP, and 63 strikeouts across 62 and a third innings.
He tied Cleveland's Cade Smith for the major-league lead with 41 saves and earned his first career All-Star selection.
Baker became the seventh pitcher in Tampa Bay franchise history to reach 40 saves in a single season, surpassing Fernando Rodney's 2012 franchise record by recording 23 consecutive saves.
He also recorded his first career postseason save during Tampa Bay's 1-0 ALDS victory over the New York Yankees.
The Rays won 98 games and the AL East title, while Baltimore finished 79-82 and missed the postseason for a second consecutive year.
Draft Capital Yields No Lasting Asset
The draft capital Baltimore received yielded no lasting asset.
The Orioles selected high school outfielder Slater de Brun with the 37th pick before sending him back to Tampa Bay in a separate deal for Shane Baz.
