With Pete Alonso, Taylor Ward and Shane Baz additions, Zach Eflin outlines what Orioles' 2026 success should look like

Looking to bounce back from a disappointing campaign, the Baltimore Orioles have been quite busy this offseason.

Having already added significant quality to their squad with the acquisitions of Pete Alonso, Taylor Ward and Shane Baz, the organization re-signed veteran starting pitcher Zach Eflin to a one-year, $10 million deal on Sunday. Eflin's contract also includes a mutual option for the 2027 season.

In an interview that was uploaded to the "MASN Orioles" YouTube channel on Tuesday, Eflin spoke about the big moves the O's have made, what he thinks success should look like for the team in 2026, and how excited he is to get to work with his colleagues.

"I think everybody is pumped for the season. I think the moves have been great," Eflin said (Timestamp: 3:35). "You're adding to a team that's already so talented, and some of those guys are some of my closest friends in the game... The moves they've made it's a win-now thing.We want to win the World Series. Everybody on the team knows that. "Clearly, they're making it obvious we're going to make a run at this thing. So, it was very attractive to come back. I love the guys on the team, I love the (pitching) staff, I love the front office. It's such a fun place to go to work everyday. To surround yourself with the competitors on the team, that are amazing baseball players but more amazing people, I'm very blessed to have the opportunity."

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Insider believes the Orioles should look to continue improving the rotation by going after a "top of the line starter"

Soon after Eflin re-signed with the Orioles, analyst and content creator Ryan Ripken had his say on the move. Though Ripken commended the club for Eflin's acquisition, he believes there is still more work for the O's to do.

"You saw in the past years, you need pitching depth," Ripken said (Timestamp: 0:33). "It's not just five starters in a rotation. You need six, seven, eight, sometimes ten capable starters throughout the season because of injury. Do I think the Orioles are done now, with making more moves? No. "I think you still need to go get a more top of the rotation type of guy. I still think Ranger Suarez and Framber Valdez are in play. I don't believe in the Framber deal, I think Ranger still is the better fit here. But time will tell."

Tampa Bay Rays v Baltimore Orioles - Source: Getty

After injuries ravaged Zach Eflin's season in 2025, fans will be hoping to see the starter stay healthy in 2026.

Edited by Raghav Mehta