Most of Major League Baseball is watching the Baltimore Orioles as their front office determines whether they will be buyers or sellers ahead of the Major League Baseball Trade Deadline.
Performances like the one they had on Saturday against the Tampa Bay Rays will push the Orioles closer to the selling direction.
The Orioles lost 11-3 on Saturday, and enter Sunday 7 games out of a wild card spot.
At the center of the Orioles’ loss on Saturday was a poor outing by veteran starting pitcher Zach Eflin, who gave up 4 runs on 5 hits in his lone inning of work.
After the game, interim Orioles’ manager Tony Mansolino added some context to the struggles Eflin had on Saturday.
Zach Eflin has a lower back strain. Felt it in bullpen warming up, thought he could pitch through it.#Orioles interim manager Tony Mansolino said Eflin will get checked out, could get imaging done. TBD on whether it’s an IL situation.
— Jake Rill (@JakeDRill) June 28, 2025
Orioles trade outlook shaken as this asset’s value suddenly drops
It would seem that Eflin was wrong in his belief that he could pitch through the lower back.
Also, the fact that Mansolino didn’t immediately rule out a trip to the IL could derail part of the Orioles’ plan for the trade deadline.
If the Orioles do wind up selling, or even if they don’t, Eflin figures to be a trade target for teams in the market for starting pitching this season.
Eflin’s 2025 season hasn’t been easy on the eyes as he is carrying a 5.95 ERA through his first 12 starts this season.
Striking out only 15.6 percent of the hitters he has faced this season, Eflin is depending heavily on the defense behind him. That hasn’t been a recipe for success, as Eflin’s expected ERA of 2.21 suggests he is being let down by the defense behind him.
Considering his track record, including a 4.9 fWAR season in 2023, Eflin likely will have his fair share of suitors ahead of the deadline.
Especially when you consider the number of teams that need pitching, and the lack of sellers in this year’s trade market.
Even with his struggles, the Orioles likely could get a decent return for Eflin.
However, to do so, Eflin would need to be healthy. A trip to the IL with a back injury would all but sink any trade value he has. Eflin is in the final year of a three-year deal.
