The Rays and Orioles made a trade to strengthen both teams, the Orioles in the short run and the Rays in the long run:

The Baltimore Orioles acquired right-hander Shane Baz in a trade with the Tampa Bay Rays on Friday, sending a four-prospect package and a draft pick in a rare intradivision deal.

Following a search all winter for starting pitching, the Orioles targeted Baz and paid a heavy price, giving up outfielder Slater de Brun and catcher Caden Bodine — both first-round picks this year — breakout right-hander Michael Forret, outfielder Austin Overn and a competitive-balance Round A pick that comes with more than $2.5 million in slot money, sources said.

ESPN.com

I will say that seems like a lot for a pitcher projected to post a 4.25 ERA at FanGraphs. Musings Marcels projects opponents hitting .234/.308/.400 against him, which is pretty good. If the Orioles can get him to lower his opposition isolated power, he would be much better.

The Rays set themselves up for another run of punctuated greatness. Tampa Bay does not stay down for long as they do a good job of restocking the farm system, and in a couple of years this should look like a very good team again. Bodine plays 2026 as a 22 year old, and could be up soon. de Brun has yet to play professionally at seasonal age 19 in 2026. Forret learned to control his walks in 2025, and his ERA plummeted. Overn gets on base with little power, and is old for his level of the minor leagues. Still, a good OBP is a valuable tool.

Once again, the AL East is stacked. The Rays may take one on the chin this season, but they will not be down for long. Some team has to finish last.