Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic broke the news of the trade. The Rays are getting three prospects back, outfielder Matthew Etzel , right-hander Jackson Baumeister , and utility player Mac Horvath .
Eflin is having an average year after finishing sixth in the AL Cy Young voting last year. He currently sports a 507 record with a 4.09 ERA, 1.16 WHIP, and 87 strikeouts in 110 innings. The 30-year-old carries an 18.9 percent strikeout rate and a 2.8 percent walk rate.
The Rays traded starter Aaron Civale to the Brewers a few weeks ago , so the tables in Tampa Bay were already slowly turning. They’re currently 52-51 in the AL East and only four games back of a wild card spot.
Burnes is also set to be a free agent after this year, while Eflin has another year leading into the 2025 season.
Eflin signed a three-year, $40 million deal with the Rays prior to the 2023 season, and the team will cover $1 million of his contract. The Orioles will be on the hook for the rest, but after a change in ownership and a will to win, it shouldn’t be an issue.
Out of the three prospects, two of them were in the Orioles Top 30 according to Baseball America . Horvath was ranked No. 13 while Baumeister was No. 18.
With a 2.0-game lead in the AL East, the Orioles will still be active. They already traded outfielder Austin Hays to the Phillies earlier today for bullpen and outfield depth help.
It’s a good deal for both sides. The Orioles get a starting pitcher it desperately needed, while the Rays will be able to work their development magic and hopefully turn those prospects into quality big-league pieces.
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