The Baltimore Orioles acquired right-hander Zach Eflin from the Tampa Bay Rays on Friday, addressing their clearest want with an in-division commerce that bolsters their beginning rotation.
Eflin was considered probably the greatest pitchers accessible earlier than the July 30 deadline, and the Orioles — who at 61-42 have the second-best document within the American League behind Cleveland (62-41) — turned to him with the sky-high costs for front-line left-handers Tarik Skubal and Garrett Crochet.
In return, the Rays obtained outfielder Matthew Etzel, super-utility man Mac Horvath and right-hander Jackson Baumeister.
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Eflin, 30, has been a stalwart within the Rays’ rotation since signing a three-year, $40 million free agent contract with the crew earlier than the 2023 season. With Eflin’s wage set to leap to $18 million subsequent yr and a number of beginning pitchers coming back from accidents, the Rays made it clear to groups that he was accessible in a deal.
Baltimore, which has misplaced starters Kyle Bradish, John Means and Tyler Wells to Tommy John surgical procedure this season, jumped on the alternative. Earlier Friday, the Orioles swung a depth-for-depth commerce with Philadelphia, buying right-handed reliever Seranthony Dominguez and heart fielder Cristian Pache for outfielder Austin Hays.
In 110 innings over 19 begins this season, Eflin has a 4.09 ERA. His stroll fee of 1.06 per 9 innings is the second finest amongst certified main league starters, behind Seattle’s George Kirby. Eflin’s strikeouts have dipped considerably this season, from 9.4 per 9 innings to 7.1, and he spent 15 days on the injured checklist with again irritation in Might and June.
To get Eflin, they dipped into their deep farm system. Due to the scale of Eflin’s wage, the Orioles weren’t motivated to ship Tampa Bay their finest prospects. As they did within the deal that despatched Randy Arozarena to Seattle on Thursday, Tampa Bay obtained a bulk return.
Etzel, 22, is maybe one of the best of the group. A tenth-round pick of Southern Miss in 2023, he has performed all three outfield positions and is hitting .289/.363/.445 between Excessive-A and Double-A this season.
Horvath, 23, went to Baltimore within the second spherical of final yr’s draft after three seasons at North Carolina. He has performed second base, third base, heart area and proper area at Excessive-A this yr and is hitting .233/.328/.417 with 9 dwelling runs and 26 stolen bases in 27 makes an attempt.
Like Horvath, Baumeister, 22, was a second-round decide in 2023 who can run his fastball into the mid-to-high 90s. Although he has struggled with management at Excessive-A, Baumeister has struck out 91 in 70â…” innings pitched and sports activities a 3.06 ERA over 18 begins.
The Orioles might make extra strikes earlier than the deadline, in keeping with sources. They’ve mentioned buying and selling first baseman Ryan Mountcastle or heart fielder Cedric Mullins, and would leap on the alternative to accumulate a front-line beginning pitcher reminiscent of Skubal, whom Detroit has indicated it’s hesitant to deal, or Crochet, who plans to close down on the finish of the common season after his first full yr again from Tommy John surgical procedure — except he receives a contract extension.
