Orioles Reacquire Pitching Prospect Michael Forret in Trade That Sends Tyler Wells to Rays
The Baltimore Orioles continued reshaping their roster on Monday, acquiring right-handed pitching prospect Michael Forret from the Tampa Bay Rays in exchange for veteran reliever Tyler Wells. The move reunites the Orioles with a pitcher they originally drafted before including him in last winter’s blockbuster trade for Shane Baz.
For Baltimore, the deal is another example of the front office prioritizing long-term pitching depth while continuing to move established major league talent ahead of the deadline. Wells had become one of the Orioles’ most reliable bullpen arms this season, making his departure significant despite the return of a promising young starter.
Tyler Wells Heads to Tampa Bay
Wells, 31, has enjoyed an impressive comeback season after previous injury setbacks. Working exclusively out of the bullpen, the 6-foot-8 right-hander posted:
- 2-2 record
- 2.67 ERA
- 43 appearances
- 54.0 innings pitched
- 53 strikeouts
- Four saves
His combination of power, durability, and postseason experience makes him an attractive addition for a Rays club looking to strengthen its bullpen for another American League playoff run. Tampa Bay has been one of baseball’s best teams throughout 2026 and views Wells as another high-leverage option down the stretch.
Orioles Bring Michael Forret Back
Baltimore knows Forret well.
The Orioles selected the North Carolina native in the 14th round of the 2023 MLB Draft, and he quickly emerged as one of the organization’s fastest-rising pitching prospects before being traded to Tampa Bay in the December 2025 Shane Baz deal.
Now 22 years old, Forret has continued his development in the Rays’ system.
Across Double-A Montgomery and Triple-A Durham this season, he has posted:
- 7-2 record
- 3.29 ERA
- 19 starts
- 93 innings pitched
- 102 strikeouts
His ability to miss bats while working as a starter makes him an intriguing addition to Baltimore’s growing collection of young arms.
What It Means for Baltimore
Although trading Wells weakens the Orioles’ bullpen in the short term, the organization appears committed to adding controllable pitching talent for the future.
Forret immediately becomes another legitimate starting pitching option in the farm system and could compete for a major league opportunity as early as next season if his development continues.
The Orioles’ familiarity with his makeup, mechanics, and development likely played a major role in targeting him once again.
MSB Take
This is a classic upside play by Mike Elias and the Orioles’ front office.
Losing Tyler Wells hurts. He was arguably Baltimore’s most dependable reliever this season and had become a valuable late-inning weapon.
However, reacquiring Michael Forret gives the Orioles a pitcher they already believed in enough to draft and develop. His strikeout ability and success as a starter provide considerably more long-term value if he reaches his ceiling.
Whether fans agree with another deadline selloff or not, Baltimore is clearly betting that adding young, controllable pitching will help build its next winning core. If Forret develops into a reliable major league starter, this trade could eventually look much different than it does today.
