Rays Grab Reliever Bryan Baker from Orioles for Competitive Balance Pick

By Oliver Wiener August 04, 2025 12:56

The Tampa Bay Rays made a savvy bullpen addition by acquiring reliever Bryan Baker from the Baltimore Orioles in exchange for a Competitive Balance Draft Pick ahead of the 2025 MLB trade deadline. This move seeks to bolster Tampa Bay’s bullpen depth with a pitcher who possesses solid strikeout ability and experience in high-leverage situations, aligning well with the Rays’ continued strategy of shrewd roster management and pitching development.

Bryan Baker, 30, has been a reliable arm for the Orioles over the past couple of seasons, showing flashes of dominance combined with some inconsistency typical of younger relievers. In the 2025 season before the trade, Baker appeared in 42 games for Baltimore, pitching 38.1 innings with a 3.52 ERA, 1.88 WHIP, and a strikeout rate of 11.50 K/9. His strikeout rate ranks him among the better relievers in the league, tapping out batters at an elite clip around 81.2% of the time. While control has occasionally been an issue, with a walk rate near 2.11 BB/9, his ability to generate swings and misses on his fastball and slider makes him a valuable late-inning option .

The Rays acquired Baker to complement their already strong bullpen unit, led by standout relievers such as Drew Rasmussen and Colin Poche. General Manager Erik Neander expressed optimism about the acquisition, saying, “Bryan brings a high strikeout profile and young arm with a ton of upside. We believe in our coaching staff’s ability to refine his command and unleash his full potential in a Rays uniform.” Neander also emphasized how the Competitive Balance Pick exchange fits Tampa Bay’s model of assembling a deep and versatile bullpen while maintaining long-term organizational flexibility.

Manager Ryan Snider highlighted Baker’s skill set’s fit with the team’s pitching philosophy: “In today’s game, velocity and strikeouts are king, and Bryan ticks both those boxes. His mix of fastball velocity and a sharp slider creates tough at-bats, especially in tight spots late in games. We’re excited to see what he can do in our environment.”

Despite a rough stretch early in the 2025 season that saw Baker’s ERA hover above 4.00 at times, he has demonstrated resilience and the ability to adapt. His underlying metrics, such as a swinging-strike percentage near 20%, indicate the potential for positive regression, which the Rays are banking on. Prior to the trade, Baker had a 1.13 WHIP and managed to keep opponents’ batting average around .294, reflecting some challenges but also room for growth with improved mechanics and approach.

Financially, Baker is under team control through the 2026 season, providing Tampa Bay with bullpen stability at a modest cost. The Orioles, meanwhile, have used the Competitive Balance Draft Pick received to continue replenishing their farm system as they transition into a youth-focused rebuild.

This trade exemplifies the Rays’ front office acumen, balancing present competitiveness with an eye toward future sustainability. By acquiring a pitcher like Baker who combines strikeout prowess with youth and control improvement potential they enhance their bullpen’s ability to handle high-leverage playoff scenarios. With the Rays currently in a heated American League Wild Card race, strengthening the late innings is critical.

Tampa Bay’s addition of Bryan Baker addresses a bullpen need with a promising, strikeout-heavy reliever poised for growth under the Rays’ development system. With strong endorsements from the front office and coaching staff, Baker looks well-positioned to become an integral piece in Tampa Bay’s push toward October success.