The Orioles met them again Zach Eflinas USA Today’s Bob Nightengale reports Baltimore has signed the right-hander to a one-year, $10MM deal with an option for the 2027 season. Eflin is represented by O’Connell Sports Management.
The $10MM guarantee breaks down as a $5MM salary, a $3MM signing bonus, and then a $2MM buyout of the same pick. As a reminder, matching options are unlikely to be exercised by either side, so Eflin’s deal is for all intents and purposes just a one-year deal. There is significant bonus money involved, as both Eflin’s buyout and the option will increase by $1MM if he makes at least 15 starts, then by $1.5MM if he makes 20 starts, and one final increase of $2.5MM if he reaches the 25-start limit. So the buyout of the partnership option would come out to $7MM.
Baltimore has been linked to a number of high-profile free agent pitchers this winter, and the O’s also recently made a notable trade to acquire a power forward. Shane Baz. The 32-year-old Eflin may settle down after the game, especially given his uncertain injury status. Eflin had back surgery in August that came with an extensive recovery timeline of 4-8 months, so the fact that he’s now signed four months later is probably an indication that his rehab is going well.
It would be a welcome relief for both Eflin and the Orioles if he could pitch in a regular fashion during Spring Training and be available for the Opening Day Program. Assuming Eflin is ready to go on March 26, he’ll slot in as either the fourth or fifth starter in a projected rotation that includes Trevor Rogers, Kyle Bradish, Dean Kremerand Baz. Tyler Wells it had a line in the rotation area but could take the role of bull or the role of swing. Albert Suarez is another swingman candidate, plus Kade Povich, Chayce McDermottagain Brandon Young some rotation depth options for the senior kids.
If Baltimore still wants to make a splash by signing or trading for a proven ace, signing Eflin is probably not an obstacle. Given how many injuries the Orioles are dealing with in 2025, it’s no surprise the team is looking for so much depth in both innings and delivering quality results moving forward.
Eflin’s own injuries contributed to the Orioles’ health woes, as lat and back injuries led to three different parts of the righty’s injured list last year. Eflin was limited to just 71 1/3 innings in 14 starts, and struggled to a 5.93 ERA and a 16.2% strikeout rate. The righty’s 4.2% walk rate was still pretty good, though, and since most of the damage to Eflin came through a spike in his homer rate, his 4.49 SIERA was more respectable than his real-world ERA.
This isn’t the first time Eflin has been plagued by injuries, as nagging knee problems plagued the right-hander early in his career with the Phillies, though he has posted strong results when healthy. In what was billed as a significant performance by the low-budget Rays, Tampa Bay inked Eflin to a three-year, $40MM contract during the 2022-23 offseason, and he ended up pitching a career-high two innings over the first two seasons of the deal – 177 2/3 IP in 2023 1/2023, 4 IP in 2023
The durability was supported by a 3.54 ERA, 3.5% walk rate, and 23.1% strikeout rate over those 343 innings, although Eflin’s K% dropped significantly from 26.5% in 2023 to 19.6% in 2024. Orioles at the 2024 deadline, with the O’s pocketing all of Eflin’s $11MM salary for the 2024 season and his $18MM salary for 2025. Although his 2025 campaign was a washout, Eflin pitched well for the Orioles in 2024 to help the team reach the postseason.
Tampa Bay was the only team publicly linked to a market for Eflin this winter, but now he will return to one of his other former teams in his bid for a turnaround season. The Orioles know better than any other club about the right-hander’s health status, and the upside is obvious if Eflin can return to his old form. At the time of his season-ending surgery, Eflin had been vocal about his desire to return to Baltimore in free agency, and now his wish has come true.
Eflin’s $10MM commitment brings the Orioles’ 2026 payroll to about $147.3MM, according to RosterResource. With the O’s finishing the 2025 campaign with an estimated salary of $160.1MM, we still have plenty of time to use the team that already signed one of their winter hitters. Pete Alonso agreement. Baltimore could also use a free agent starter like Guard Suarez or Framber Valdezor perhaps re-enter the depths of its league for another significant trade.
USA Today’s Bob Nightengale was the first to break the news of Eflin’s one-year deal with the Orioles. Jon Heyman of the New York Post had $10MM guaranteed, and Andy Kostka of the Baltimore Banner reported the details of the co-op option. Robert Murray of FanSided had the salary breakdown and information on the bonus structure.
Inset photo courtesy of Gregory Fisher – Imagn Images
