Mike Elias continued his busy afternoon, acquiring Zach Eflin from the Tampa Bay Rays.
Trade news: The Baltimore Orioles are acquiring right-handed starter Zach Eflin from the Tampa Bay Rays, sources tell ESPN.
Tampa Bay will receive three minor leaguers in return for one of the top starters available.@Ken_Rosenthal was on the news.
— Jeff Passan (@JeffPassan) July 26, 2024
The O’s gave up three minor leaguers: RHP Jackson Baumeister (Ranked their #17 prospect on MLB Pipeline), IF Mac Horvath (10), and OF Matthew Etzel (NR).
The Orioles are getting Eflin for not just 2024, but 2025 as well, as he isn’t a free agent until 2026. That fills a big need for next year, in addition to boosting them for the rest of this season.
Eflin, 30, was very good last year, with a 16-8 record, 3.50 ERA, 3.01 FIP and 118 ERA+. He also finished with very good ERA+ values in 2019 (108) and 2020 (114). This year has been a bit more of a struggle, as he is just 5-7 with a 4.09 ERA. His FIP hints at a bit of poor luck, over a half-run lower at 3.65, but his K/9 are down to 7.1 after 9.4 last year and 7.8 for his career.
Zach Eflin notes:
‣ 3.37 xERA over 110 IP 💪🏼
‣ breaking pitches are really, really good!
‣ career 2.11 in eight starts vs. the #Yankees
‣ under control for 2025 ($18m) https://t.co/xqiRDNOxNc— Avi Miller 🟦 (@AviMiIIer) July 26, 2024
Zach Eflin (Acquired by Baltimore) is a versatile pitcher with great command and average stuff. His results in 2023 were fantastic, but he has struggled to recreate that magic this season and is running a poor 18.9 K%
Perhaps the move to Baltimore sparks a strong 2nd half https://t.co/XQQUupmEK0 pic.twitter.com/OXztxvzAGB
— Thomas Nestico (@TJStats) July 26, 2024
Here’s hoping the change of scenery helps him rediscover his 2023 form.
As for what the O’s gave up, there’s a chance we’ll come to regret it, especially once Baumeister gets into that Tampa pitching development system. Horvath has what seems like a dozen infielders ahead of him, so that one doesn’t hurt to give up at all. I won’t pretend to know anything about Etzel, but our friend Pigtown Sports says he could be [Kevin] Kiermaier all over again.
You’ve gotta give something to get something. A rejuvenated Eflin could be a potential Game 3 playoff starter. Short of that, he absolutely helps a rotation that’s in desperate need of it behind Corbin Burnes & Grayson Rodriguez.
With this news on top of the Austin Hays trade earlier today, it’s clear Mike Elias has been very busy behind the scenes. To be a clear favorite in the AL, he still needs to do more. With the top nine prospects – plus a few vets – still at his disposal, let’s see what he has up his sleeve.
