As the July 31 MLB trade deadline approaches, the New York Yankees have been aggressively pursuing starting pitching and a power-hitting third baseman to bolster their roster. However, just a month ago, the Yankees were also rumored to be in the market for nearly every available bullpen arm. While the Yankees continue their search, one of their AL East rivals has made a surprising move to shake up the division’s arms race.
On Thursday, FanSided’s Robert Murray broke the news that the Baltimore Orioles are trading reliever Bryan Baker to the Tampa Bay Rays. According to The Athletic’s Ken Rosenthal, the Orioles will receive the No. 37 overall pick in Sunday’s MLB Draft as compensation. Rosenthal noted, “With the trade, Orioles now hold 19th, 30th, 31st, and 37th picks. Competitive-balance picks are the only ones teams are allowed to trade.”
Bryan Baker, a 30-year-old right-handed pitcher, has been a reliable bullpen arm this season, posting a 3-2 record with two saves and a 3.52 ERA across 42 appearances. The five-year MLB veteran made his big-league debut in 2021 with the Toronto Blue Jays and holds a career ERA of 3.70 over 174 appearances. Originally drafted by the Colorado Rockies in 2016, Baker was traded to Toronto in 2018 before being claimed off waivers by the Orioles after the 2021 season. According to Spotrac, Baker is earning $768,000 this season and has three years of arbitration eligibility remaining.
The Orioles entered the 2025 season with high expectations but have been one of baseball’s biggest disappointments, languishing in last place in the AL East with a 40-50 record. Meanwhile, the Rays (50-43) are holding strong in third place in the division, just four games behind the first-place Toronto Blue Jays. Tampa Bay currently occupies the second spot in the AL Wild Card standings, making Baker’s addition a key move to strengthen their bullpen for a postseason push.
This unexpected trade signals that the AL East arms race is heating up, with the Rays making a strategic move to stay competitive while the Orioles look to rebuild through the draft. As the Yankees continue their hunt for pitching and hitting reinforcements, this deal serves as a reminder that their rivals are not standing still. With the trade deadline looming, the AL East is poised for more blockbuster moves that could reshape the postseason landscape.