Bryan Baker to the Rays

As of July 10th, the Baltimore Orioles traded reliever Bryan Baker to the Tampa Bay Rays for the 37th pick in the 2025 draft this Sunday.

Photo Courtesy of Camden Chat

Baker has posted a 3.52 ERA in 42 games out of the bullpen. Unfortunately, in his last appearance, he coughed up a 6-2 lead on July 8th against the Mets as he allowed 4 runs from two two-run homers. If you exclude this outing, he would have a 2.58 ERA.

Many people would be asking why the Rays would trade a high compensatory pick for just an above-average reliever. Bryan Baker isn't a free agent until 2029, which gives him three additional seasons of control after this year. Also, his underlying stats show he has a lot of potential. He currently has a K/9 of 11.50 along with only walking 6.0% of batters this season. His xFIP, which is a more reliable stat that adjusts home runs to the average, is currently at 2.78. Baker's changeup has been his best pitch this season as it's only allowed a .154 batting average.

We can only wait and see how this trade will impact both teams. The Rays are getting a solid addition to their bullpen as they push for the playoffs. For the Orioles, however, this is a taste of what's yet to come as they are expected to sell more of their pieces as the trade deadline approaches.

• https://www.fangraphs.com/players/bryan-baker/19804/stats?position=P

• https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/b/bakerbr01.shtml

• https://baseballsavant.mlb.com/savant-player/bryan-baker-641329?stats=statcast-r-pitching-mlb