Orioles bolster rotation in deal with Rays for Eflin
This browser does not support the video element.
BALTIMORE -- A former American League East rival is coming to the Orioles to help reinforce the club’s rotation.
Baltimore acquired right-hander Zach Eflin in a trade with Tampa Bay on Friday, sending a trio of prospects to the Rays in return. Eflin will join fellow righties Corbin Burnes and Grayson Rodriguez atop an O’s rotation that previously lost three pitchers (Kyle Bradish, John Means and Tyler Wells) to season-ending UCL surgeries and has a 5.44 ERA during their 8-11 July.
TRADE DETAILS
Orioles receive: RHP Zach Eflin, cash considerations
Rays receive: INF/OF Mac Horvath (O’s No. 10 prospect), RHP Jackson Baumeister (No. 17), OF Matthew Etzel
“Very excited,” Orioles manager Brandon Hyde said. “I’ve heard unbelievable things about him. Postseason tested. He’s a true professional. Everybody talks about how great of a guy he is and what he can bring to the clubhouse and our pitching staff, and we’re looking for pitching, [so] it’s nice to add a quality starter like Zach.”
Eflin was among the AL’s top starters in 2023, when he finished sixth in Cy Young Award voting after recording a career-best 3.50 ERA over 31 starts in his first season with the Rays. This year, the 30-year-old has a 4.09 ERA through 19 starts.
Eflin owns a 4.26 ERA in 177 career games (165 starts) over nine MLB seasons, the first seven of which were spent with the Phillies. He then signed with the Rays in free agency prior to the 2023 campaign.
In terms of postseason experience, Eflin posted a 3.38 ERA over 10 relief appearances during Philadelphia’s run to the World Series in 2022. He started Game 2 of Tampa Bay’s AL Wild Card Series loss to Texas in ‘23, allowing five runs in five innings.
This browser does not support the video element.
At the moment, Baltimore’s rotation landscape looks like this:
- RHP Corbin Burnes
- RHP Grayson Rodriguez
- RHP Zach Eflin
- RHP Dean Kremer
- RHP Albert Suárez
Also in the mix: LHP Cole Irvin (bullpen), RHP Chayce McDermott (Triple-A Norfolk), LHP Cade Povich (Triple-A Norfolk)
The addition of Eflin also bolsters the Orioles’ rotation for next season, as the righty is under contract through the end of 2025. Considering the uncertain timelines for Bradish, Means and Wells -- and the fact that Burnes is a free agent at the end of this season -- Eflin should provide a needed boost.
The cash considerations received by Baltimore covered the $1 million trade bonus given to Eflin. The team will be responsible for his 2025 salary of $18 million.
The Orioles will be glad to no longer face Eflin, who has a 3.00 ERA and a 0.76 WHIP in five career starts against them.
“Obviously, a great pitcher. He’s thrown well against us,” Rodriguez said. “It’s going to be pretty relieving having him on our team. Honestly, I think he’s a really great guy. Obviously, you see what he does on the field. I think he’s going to make our rotation a heck of a lot better. I’m really excited to get to know him as a person and see him wearing the black and orange for us.”
Baltimore improved its rotation without parting with any of its top nine prospects. It lost a pair of 2023 Draft picks in Horvath (second round) and Baumeister (Competitive Balance Round B). Baumeister is the only pitcher who has been selected by the O’s on the first day of a Draft since Mike Elias became general manager prior to the ‘19 season.
It was the second trade made by the Orioles on Friday, as they previously dealt outfielder Austin Hays to the Phillies in exchange for right-handed reliever Seranthony Domínguez and outfielder Cristian Pache.
The O’s may not be done, though. The Trade Deadline is set for Tuesday at 6 p.m. ET, and the team could still use pitching help for both its rotation and bullpen. It’s also possible they could seek a right-handed bat after parting with Hays.