Orioles, Baz agree on 5-year, $68 million contract extension

The Orioles and right-hander Shane Baz have agreed to a five-year, $68 million extension.

Baz, who was acquired by the Orioles in December from the Tampa Bay Rays, had three seasons, including 2026, of arbitration eligibility remaining.

The extension begins with this season, a year in which Baz was scheduled to make $3.5 million, and buys out two years of free agency, 2029 and 2030, according to ESPN’s Jeff Passan.

The 26-year-old right-hander is scheduled to make his first regular-season start for the Orioles on Sunday against Minnesota.

Baz has a lifetime record of 17-17 with a 4.25 ERA in 54 starts.

It’s the second contract extension negotiated by president of baseball operations Mike Elias in less than eight months. Last August, the Orioles signed 21-year-old catcher Samuel Basallo to an eight-year, $67 million extension with an option for 2034.

It’s the longest contract the Orioles have given a pitcher since they signed Scott Erickson to a five-year, $32 million contract extension in 1999.

Call for questions: I answer Orioles questions most weekdays. Please send yours to: Rich@BaltimoreBaseball.com