The Tampa Bay Rays are trading 2024 Opening Day starter Zach Eflin to the division rival Baltimore Orioles in exchange for three prospects, according to ESPN’s Jeff Passan.
Trade news: The Baltimore Orioles are acquiring right-handed starter Zach Eflin from the Tampa Bay Rays, sources tell ESPN.
Tampa Bay will receive three minor leaguers in return for one of the top starters available.@Ken_Rosenthal was on the news.
— Jeff Passan (@JeffPassan) July 26, 2024
By dealing in division, the Rays are likely getting a notable haul from one of baseball’s deeper farm systems.
Eflin joined the Rays in 2023 after appearing in the World Series for the Phillies, the only organization he’d known up to that point in his career, after the Rays made him their priority signing of the off-season.
Tampa Bay landed Eflin on a three-year, back loaded $40 million deal. He would go on to lead the American League in wins with a 3.50 ERA / 3.01 FIP on a 4.8 fWAR season, placing 6th in the Cy Young voting.
2024 hasn’t been as stellar of a season, with an ERA just above 4.00, mostly due to a lack of strikeouts in May of this season, but he’s a respectable veteran who should slot into the O’s rotation with ease.
The Rays will receive INF Mac Horvath (No. 10 prospect), RHP Jackson Baumeister (No. 17) and OF Matthew Etzel, according to Mark Feinsand and Jeff Passan.
Horvath is primarily a third baseman that was drafted 53rd overall out of UNC in 2023. His hit tool has lagged behind in his development, but he’s got a right handed power stroke that should play. He currently has a 110 wRC+ in High-A. There’s some expectation he will be a utility man at the major league level.
Baumeister was too committed to Florida State to get drafted out of high school in 2021, but was scooped up by the O’s in 2023 at 63rd overall, the highest Mike Elias’s organization has ever drafted a pitcher. Per Baseball America, “The Orioles appreciated his hoppy fastball and potential to further develop his arsenal, but they also valued his aptitude to make adjustments as his season went on and willingness to learn.”
He has a 3.06 ERA over 18 games (18 GS) with a plus fastball. He’s played with multiple breaking balls and has shown feel for the change. There’s a solid starter’s profile here.
Etzel was drafted in the 10th round in 2023 and got opportunities at three levels to finish the season (Complex, Low-A, High-A) after getting taken 301st out of Southern Mississippi. He then returned to HIgh-A this season and impressed with a 138 wRC+ over 51 games (214 PA), leading to yet another promotion to Double-A, where he has a 107 wRC+ over 130 PA thus far.
