World Series Contender Adds 2023 AL Wins Leader Ahead Of Trade Deadline

The Orioles fortified their roster on Friday in a trade with the Rays for starting pitcher Zach Eflin.

MLB insider Ken Rosenthal first reported the trade, and ESPN's Jeff Passan provided full details.

In exchange for the 2023 American League (AL) wins leader, the Rays acquired three prospects: outfielder Matthew Etzel, right-hander Jackson Baumeister, and utilityman Mac Horvath.

The Orioles (61-41) have a two-game lead over the Yankees (60-44) in the AL East and have the fourth-best odds to win the World Series (+750), per Action Network .

Eflin has started 19 games this season and is 5-7 with a 4.09 earned run average (ERA) and 87 strikeouts to only 13 walks in 110 innings pitched.

Per Baseball Savant , his walk rate (2.8 percent) ranks in the 99th percentile in the MLB.

Last year, Eflin led the AL with 16 wins. He pitched a career-high 177.2 innings and posted a 3.50 ERA with 186 strikeouts and 24 walks. He finished sixth in the Cy Young voting.

The MLB trade deadline is on July 30 at 6 p.m. ET.