The Baltimore Orioles addressed their need for a starting pitcher by acquiring right-hander Zach Eflin from the Tampa Bay Rays on Friday. This in-division trade bolsters the Orioles’ rotation. Eflin was one of the top pitchers available before the July 30 deadline, and the Orioles, who are tied for the best record in the American League with Cleveland at 61-41, opted for him over the more expensive front-line left-handers Tarik Skubal and Garrett Crochet.
In return, the Rays received outfielder Matthew Etzel, super-utility player Mac Horvath, and right-hander Jackson Baumeister. Eflin, 30, has been a key part of the Rays’ rotation since signing a three-year, $40 million contract before the 2023 season. With his salary set to rise to $18 million next year and other starting pitchers returning from injuries, the Rays made him available.
Baltimore, which has lost starters Kyle Bradish, John Means, and Tyler Wells to Tommy John surgery this season, seized the opportunity. Earlier on Friday, the Orioles traded for right-handed reliever Seranthony Dominguez and center fielder Cristian Pache from Philadelphia in exchange for outfielder Austin Hays.
This season, Eflin has a 4.09 ERA in 110 innings over 19 starts. His walk rate of 1.06 per nine innings is the second best among qualified major league starters, behind Seattle’s George Kirby. However, his strikeout rate has dropped from 9.4 to 7.1 per nine innings, and he spent 15 days on the injured list with back inflammation in May and June.
To acquire Eflin, the Orioles leveraged their deep farm system. Due to Eflin’s substantial salary, Baltimore did not need to send their top prospects to Tampa Bay. In exchange, the Rays received a bulk return, similar to the deal that sent Randy Arozarena to Seattle.
Etzel, 22, is likely the best of the group. A 10th-round pick out of Southern Miss in 2023, he has played all three outfield positions and is hitting .289/.363/.445 between High-A and Double-A this season. Horvath, 23, was a second-round pick last year and has played multiple positions at High-A, hitting .233/.328/.417 with nine home runs and 26 stolen bases in 27 attempts. Baumeister, 22, was also a second-round pick in 2023. Despite control issues at High-A, he has struck out 91 batters in 70⅔ innings and has a 3.06 ERA over 18 starts.
The Orioles may still make more moves before the deadline. They have considered trading first baseman Ryan Mountcastle or center fielder Cedric Mullins and are interested in acquiring a front-line starting pitcher like Skubal, whom Detroit is hesitant to trade, or Crochet, who may shut down after this season unless he receives a contract extension.
