In an intra-division deal, the Baltimore Orioles traded for starting pitcher Zach Eflin from the Tampa Bay Rays in exchange for three minor leaguers, the team announced Friday. In exchange for Eflin, the Rays receive outfielder Matthew Etzel, super-utilityman Mac Horvath, and right-handed pitcher Jackson Baumeister. The trade marks the second deal the Orioles have made on Friday, joining their transaction with the Philadelphia Phillies that landed Seranthony Dominguez and Cristian Pache.
We have made the following trade: pic.twitter.com/u7MmvIReDV
— Baltimore Orioles (@Orioles) July 26, 2024
Orioles Trade for Veteran Zach Eflin To Boost Starting Rotation
Eflin is currently in the second year of a three-year, $40 million deal that made him the Rays’ most expensive outside free agent signing ever. The 30-year-old has a 4.09 ERA, which is below his career average, in 19 starts this season. Eflin has a higher 4.76 ERA in the month of July and missed time twice this campaign due to injury. He dealt with low back tightness in April and lower back inflammation in May. Eflin has 87 strikeouts in 110 innings. He’s held opponents to just 13 walks and a 1.164 WHIP. Eflin has an ERA+ of 95, just below the league average of 100.
Zach Eflin, K’ing the Side. pic.twitter.com/9bVOLMoggs
— Rob Friedman (@PitchingNinja) April 20, 2024
Before 2024, the right-hander led all of baseball with 16 wins last season while posting a career-best 3.50 ERA. Eflin has thrown over 100 innings in five of his nine MLB campaigns, including the current season. He spent his first seven years with the Philadelphia Phillies, recording a 4.49 ERA in 115 starts. Eflin was a pivotal part of Philadelphia’s run to the World Series in 2022, pitching the last out of the Phillies’ playoff-clinching victory over the Houston Astros.
Eflin slots into Baltimore’s current rotation nicely. He joins a group including Corbin Burnes, Grayson Rodriguez, and Dean Kremer. The Orioles already have the eighth-best team ERA in baseball, and fourth-best in the American League, at 3.73. Baltimore has had a flurry of pitching injuries in 2024, leaving Kyle Bradish and John Means out for the year. To make room for Eflin on the Orioles’ 40-man roster, reliever Vinny Nittoli was designated for assignment.
#orioles also announce Vinny Nittoli DFA’d. Seranthony Dominguez will wear No. 56. He’s reported. OF Cristian Pache also reported and is wearing No. 26.
— Roch Kubatko (@masnRoch) July 26, 2024
Rays Get Back Three Prospects In Eflin Trade
The Rays brought in three prospects in return for Eflin. Horvath ranks as Baltimore’s 10th-best prospect, per MLB.com. He batted .232 in High-A with the Orioles, posting a .745 OPS with nine home runs. Baumeister ranked as the Orioles’ No. 17 prospect. A 2023 draft choice, the 22-year-old had a 3.06 ERA at High-A this season over 70 ⅔ innings. He currently struggles with control, allowing 43 walks. Baumeister has dominated in punchouts, though, racking up 91 strikeouts in 2024. Etzel rounds out Tampa’s haul. A 10th-round pick in 2023, Etzel batted .289 across two levels in Baltimore’s system this year. He has played 32 games at the Double-A level, the highest of the three players the Rays acquired.
Photo Credit: © John Jones-USA TODAY Sports
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