Rays Land 30-Year-Old Pitcher In Rare Itra-Division Trade: Breaking
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The MLB trade deadline is quickly approaching. With around three weeks before the deadline, media outlets, writers, insiders, and fans have begun pitching their own trade ideas around baseball.
With all the chatter going on in the background, the Tampa Bay Rays and Baltimore Orioles agreed on a deal that would send reliever Bryan Baker to Tampa Bay in exchange for the Rays' competitive balance pick in Sunday's MLB Draft, per Robert Murray. This pick is No. 37 overall.
ATLANTA, GEORGIA - JULY 05: Bryan Baker #43 of the Baltimore Orioles reacts after striking out Austin Riley in the eighth inning of a game against the Atlanta Braves at Truist Park on July 5,...
ATLANTA, GEORGIA - JULY 05: Bryan Baker #43 of the Baltimore Orioles reacts after striking out Austin Riley in the eighth inning of a game against the Atlanta Braves at Truist Park on July 5, 2025 in Atlanta, Georgia. More
Edward M.Baker, 30, has three additional years of control on his contract. The righty has been solid this year, holding a 3.52 ERA in 38 1/3 innings. He was rocked by the New York Mets in his most recent outing, but besides that appearance, his ERA is around 2.50 on the season.
Baker has generated a lot of swing and miss this year. He's near the top of the league in strikeout percentage and whiff percentage, per Baseball Savant. The righty is also one of the better pitchers in baseball at limiting walks, issuing a free pass around six percent of the time.
Adding a pitcher with this kind of ability to a team like the Rays, who are notorious for getting the most out of pitchers, is dangerous for the American League.
With the New York Yankees faltering, the Rays may have seen this as their opportunity to strike and steal the division, but the competition will still be quite stiff.
For the Orioles, landing this draft pick gives them a lot more flexibility at the top end of the draft. Baltimore will now be able to land multiple top prospects rather than having to settle on one guy.
More MLB: Yankees General Manager Takes Strong Trade Deadline Stance
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