Orioles sign former Phillies, Rays starter to $10 million free agent deal

The Baltimore Orioles have been involved in the free agent and trade market in a big way so far this offseason. While they might not have spent the most money, the Orioles are big spenders.

Pete Alonso and Taylor Ward are the two big lineup additions, while Ryan Helsley takes over the Felix Bautista and Shane Baz fill into the starting rotation.

But, they're not done adding to that rotation. According to MLB insider Jon Heyman of The New York Post, the Orioles are signing former Philadelphia Phillies and Tampa Bay Rays starter Zach Eflin to a one-year, $10 million deal. He's back in Baltimore.

Orioles re-sign Zach Eflin to $10 million free agent contract

Heyman reports that Eflin's one-year deal with the Orioles is worth $10 million total. It's a reasonable contract for the Orioles, as they take a chance on a veteran pitcher bouncing back from a rough 2025 season.

With the Orioles last season, Eflin had a 5.93 ERA in 14 starts, posting -0.6 bWAR in just the second season with the Orioles.

After being acquired mid-season during the 2024 season, Eflin had a 2.60 ERA in nine starts and was a very good addition to the rotation. In the postseason, he had a 2.25 ERA in his one start, which went four innings.

More: Orioles 'perfect' free agent match is a 3.66 ERA lefty ace from AL West

During his time with the Rays, from 2023 through part of 2024, Eflin had a 3.72 ERA in 50 starts and had 4.5 bWAR, a solid number through two seasons with the Rays. He also led the AL in wins in 2023.

His Phillies tenure started slowly through 2017, but from 2018 until 2022, Eflin posted a 4.16 ERA with 7.5 bWAR across 105 games pitched. He also filled in nicely for the Phillies in the bullpen during their 2022 World Series run.

The 31-year-old right-hander is back in Baltimore on a one-year, $10 million deal. While he might not be the former Phillies starter that Orioles fans were hoping for (Ranger Suarez), he's still a quality depth addition to the rotation for the 2026 season.

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