Orioles Acquire Zach Eflin From The Rays
1 month agoThe Baltimore Orioles are acquiring right-hander Zach Eflin from the division-rival Tampa Bay Rays on Friday, according to sources. The Rays will receive three unnamed minor-leaguers in the deal. After sending outfielder Randy Arozarena to the Seattle Mariners on Thursday night, the Rays will now send one of the best available starting pitchers on the trade market to their division rivals. The 30-year-old Eflin hasn't been as good in Tampa this year as he was in 2023, but he'll give the first-place O's a big boost in their rotation to close out the season. He's currently 5-7 with a 4.09 ERA (3.65 FIP) and 1.16 WHIP with 87 strikeouts and only 13 walks in 110 innings over 19 starts. Eflin's strikeout rate has dropped from 26.5% last year to 18.9% in 2024, his lowest mark since 2019 with the Philadelphia Phillies. Staying in the American League East won't drastically affect his fantasy value, other than having a much better offense backing him now. UPDATE: The Rays are receiving right-hander Jackson Baumeister (O's No. 17 prospect), outfielder Matthew Etzel and super-utility man Mac Horvath (O's No. 10 prospect).
Source: ESPN.com - Jeff Passan
Source: ESPN.com - Jeff Passan