The Baltimore Orioles acquired right-hander Zach Eflin from the Tampa Bay Rays on Friday, addressing their clearest need with an in-division trade that bolsters their starting rotation.
Eflin was regarded as one of the best pitchers available before the July 30 deadline, and the Orioles — who at 61-42 have the second-best record in the American League behind Cleveland (62-41) — turned to him with the sky-high prices for front-line left-handers Tarik Skubal and Garrett Crochet.
In return, the Rays received outfielder Matthew Etzel, super-utility man Mac Horvath and right-hander Jackson Baumeister.
Eflin, 30, has been a stalwart in the Rays’ rotation since signing a three-year, $40 million free agent contract with the team before the 2023 season. With Eflin’s salary set to jump to $18 million next year and multiple starting pitchers returning from injuries, the Rays made it clear to teams that he was available in a deal.
Baltimore, which has lost starters Kyle Bradish, John Means and Tyler Wells to Tommy John surgery this season, jumped at the opportunity. Earlier Friday, the Orioles swung a depth-for-depth trade with Philadelphia, acquiring right-handed reliever Seranthony Dominguez and center fielder Cristian Pache for outfielder Austin Hays.
