Shane Baz owns the biggest contract in Orioles history for a pitcher.

That sentence might be jarring to read, at least for some people, but consider that Samuel Basallo owns the largest pre-arbitration contract for a catcher in baseball history.

These birds really do fly different.

Baz agreed to a five-year, $68 million extension, which breaks down as follows (as first reported by MLB Trade Rumors):

2026: $1 million with $4 million signing bonus
2027: $7 million
2028: $10 million
2029: $21 million
2030: $25 million

“It’s such a good opportunity. It’s such a great team,” Baz said at his press conference.

“I think it was kind of a no-brainer for us, just to be in such a great spot.”

Before David Rubenstein became control owner, our brains couldn’t have comprehended these types of contracts. Players were more likely to wear extensions than receive them, with a few exceptions. Basallo and Baz don’t fit the profile from past generosities bestowed upon veterans like Adam Jones and J.J. Hardy.

“To me,” said manager Craig Albernaz, “that just permeates through the clubhouse of the message that we’re trying to win now and for the future.”

Albernaz worked for the Rays, Giants and Guardians prior to his hiring by the Orioles on Oct. 27. Asked to make comparisons between past employers and his current team, Albernaz pointed to the “resources.”

“It’s the ownership group,” he said. “I think every organization is in a different spot as far as with a financial commitment or ownership structure or whatever that looks like. With David and Mike (Arougheti), they are as transparent as they come from ownership, and you can have real conversations with them.

“Every time I talk to David or Mike, the second question they always ask after how my family is doing, is ‘What do we need? What else do we need for the players, for your staff?’ Whatever it is. It’s genuine. Obviously my roles, I wasn’t really exposed to the ownership too much. But to me, that’s the most refreshing part. They’re always looking to get us better, whatever that is. Whether that be a sauna or a new machine for the batting cage. It’s like, all the little things. And it’s nothing for them. It’s all about what can help our guys perform their best every night.”

Rubenstein made declarations in the past about having no financial constraints. He said multiple times yesterday that the Orioles were “open for business.”

“Mike has a great reputation in knowing how to assess talent, so we’re very happy with this,” Rubenstein said of the Baz contract. “When he told me this was possible, we encouraged him to move forward and get it done, and we’re very happy with it. We hope it’s a sign to people that we’re very serious about making this a long-term proposition for the ownership group and for the team, and we want to do as much as we can to make this team a championship team and make Baltimore proud of the team we put on the field.”

Albernaz referred to the “consistent messaging” he’s received from Rubenstein and the group – before he got the job, when he was hired, all through spring training and right now. And the goal of providing resources to Elias and the rest of the organization to keep the club competitive and put it in the best position to win today and in the future.

“And to me,” Albernaz said, “that’s the biggest signal.”

Compliments flew across the room during the 25-minute press conference. Stay alert or risk getting beaned.

“I would characterize this ownership group, they believe in this franchise, in this city, in this market, and doing everything that they can to elevate the franchise,” Elias said. “And so we’ve been bold in free agency and with contracts, but also tremendous amount of infrastructure investments behind the scenes. It’s been really invigorating having that, and they’re extremely helpful.”

In a what-have-you-done-for-me-lately world, it’s only natural to wonder which player could be next to receive an extension. The top prospect, after only five days in the majors, and a high ceiling starter who hadn’t thrown a pitch for the Orioles, got their deals. It would be wrong to assume that no other discussions have transpired.

“I think I’ve been kind of boringly consistent on this topic over the years,” Elias said. “This is something that we’re always looking for opportunities to line up with our guys. And a lot of this happens behind the scenes and it never is talked about, and hopefully a deal comes together every once in a while.

“This is one of those instances, and we’re going to continue working on all fronts with all aspects of roster management, but I do think contract extensions are a big part of building a winning franchise.”

Other teams also are taking care of business, as if the calendar dictates it. Three recent examples are the Cubs extending infielder Nico Hoerner for six years at $141 million and the Phillies extending left-handers Jesús Luzardo and Cristopher Sachez for five years at $135 million and six years at $107 million, respectively.

“It’s a little bit of tradition, I guess, that spring training is sort of maybe the peak time to have those discussions,” Elias said. “My guess is the front offices tend to be really, really busy from November all the way into February with free agency and with trades and arbitration and the Winter Meetings and all the stuff that we do. And it’s spring time where you can sort of take a breath, look at your team and maybe lean into these conversations a little bit more. That’s my guess.”

Teammates had fun with Baz yesterday, suggesting purchases for the clubhouse as if they couldn’t afford the expense. Make the rich guy pay.

Outfielder Colton Cowser, sitting in a row behind media at the press conference, called out “ping pong table.”

Baz’s fiancée, Kari, sat in the front row with his parents, Raj and Tammy. He said the couple is still renting a home. That’s going to be a much bigger purchase.

“I’ll have to talk to the boss about buying and stuff like that, so I can’t disclose any information,” he said, glancing over at Kari, who smiled at him.

“I’ll probably put a suggestion box in my locker and whatever the guys want, I’ll definitely be on the hook for. And obviously I’ll be paying for some dinners this year. But no, it’s definitely a privilege. I’ll have to take some suggestions and see what the guys want. We already have a great setup, I think. Shuffleboard has been very, very competitive.”

The Orioles are counting on him being the same way in his starts. Elias and Albernaz have talked about his Cy Young ceiling and how he has other gears to reach.

“I don’t think they’re wrong,” Baz said.

“I’m obviously confident in my ability. I know there’s a lot more stuff that I can improve on. I think they’re right, and just to have that belief behind me, I can get better at a few things that can make a really big difference. Just attacking hitters, using count control in my favor and just putting the ball where I want and just being a little smarter about usage and stuff like that.”

“Shane is Shane,” Albernaz said. “Even during the press conference, the way he was talking, he is as even-keeled as they come. He doesn’t get emotional about too much. He really is about baseball and his work. There’s nothing outside like distractions at all. He’s a baseball junkie. He just wants to go out and pitch. He wants to go out and put the team in the best position to win. And that’s all you can ask for from starting pitching.

“With him and the rest of our group, they’re all about that. That’s why it’s such a great fit for Shane here.”