Orioles bolster staff, acquire starter Zach Eflin from Rays - ESPN

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 61-41 are tied for the best record in the American League with Cleveland — turned to him with the sky-high prices for frontline left-handers Tarik Skubal and Garrett Crochet.

In return, the Rays received outfielder Matthew Etzel, superutilityman 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.

In 110 innings over 19 starts this season, Eflin has a 4.09 ERA. His walk rate of 1.06 per nine innings is the second-best among qualified major league starters behind Seattle's George Kirby. Eflin's strikeouts have dipped significantly this season, from 9.4 per nine innings to 7.1, and he spent 15 days on the injured list with back inflammation in May and June.

To get Eflin, they dipped into their deep farm system. Because of the size of Eflin's salary, the Orioles weren't motivated to send