Orioles add veteran starting pitcher to the mix after trade with division rival

After trading for bullpen help earlier in the day , the American League East-leading Baltimore Orioles have continued making moves to prepare for the postseason.

This time they added a veteran pitcher in an inter-division deal with the Tampa Bay Rays, acquiring pitcher Zach Eflin for three prospects.

Signed as a free agent last offseason, Eflin had a career year with the Rays in 2023 leading the American League in wins going 16-8 with a 3.50 ERA, 1.02 WHIP and 186 strikeouts in 177.2 innings pitched.

Eflin has followed that up with a solid year so far. The 30-year-old has a 5-7 record with a 4.09 ERA, 1.16 WHIP and 87 strikeouts in 110 innings pitched.

The return for the Rays includes 22-year-old outfielder Matthew Etzel, 22-year-old pitcher Jackson Baumeister and 23-year-old utilityman Mac Horvath.

Etzel is a speedy outfielder who is slashing .289/.363/.445 with 28 extra-base hits, 47 RBI and 41 stolen bases in 83 games between High-A and Double-A.

Horvath brings versatility to the Rays farm system. Playing four positions at High-A this season, he is slashing .232/.328/.417 with 30 extra-base hits, 41 RBI and 26 stolen bases.

Baumeister was drafted last season by the Orioles and has looked good to start his professional career, posting a 1-3 record with a 3.06 ERA, 1.36 WHIP and 91 strikeouts in 70.2 innings pitched.

Eflin joins a rotation headlined by Corbin Burnes and Grayson Rodriguez, giving them three quality pitchers to go with one of the most talented offenses in the MLB.

With teams hoping to load up for a postseason run, the Orioles have been active in the trade market and have the pieces to make a run at one of the big fish on the market including pitchers Tarik Skubal and Garrett Crochet.

The Orioles have primed themselves as the team to beat in the American League.