Baltimore Orioles Acquire Zach Eflin from Tampa Bay Rays in Key Trade

The Baltimore Orioles have strengthened their starting rotation by acquiring right-hander Zach Eflin from the Tampa Bay Rays in a significant in-division trade. The deal comes as the Orioles address a pressing need following injuries to key pitchers Kyle Bradish, John Means, and Tyler Wells, all of whom are sidelined due to Tommy John surgery. In exchange for Eflin, the Rays received outfielder Matthew Etzel, super-utility player Mac Horvath, and right-hander Jackson Baumeister. Eflin, who has a projected salary increase to $18 million next season, has been made available by the Rays as they anticipate the return of several injured starters. This season, Eflin has made 19 starts, accumulating a 4.09 ERA over 110 innings pitched. Notably, his walk rate of 1.06 per nine innings ranks second among qualified major league starters, although his strikeout rate has seen a decline from 9.4 to 7.1 per nine innings. Eflin also faced a brief stint on the injured list due to back inflammation earlier in the season. In acquiring Eflin, the Orioles opted not to part with their top prospects, given the financial implications of his contract. Instead, they leveraged their deep farm system to provide a bulk return to Tampa Bay. Among the prospects, 22-year-old Matthew Etzel stands out, having shown versatility in the outfield and a solid batting average of .289 across two minor league levels this season. The trade reflects the ongoing strategy of both teams, with the Rays focusing on building for the future while the Orioles aim to enhance their competitiveness in the current season.