As the Major League Baseball trade deadline nears, the Houston Astros and Baltimore Orioles are two American League clubs on two different trajectories.

The AL West-leading Astros are candidates to buy at the deadline, seeking their third World Series title since 2017. The Orioles began the season as a favorite to make the postseason, but their struggles on the mound and inconsistency have led to a disappointing season.

It appears the Orioles will move a handful of players at this year’s deadline, and veteran starting pitcher Zach Eflin could be one of them.

Trade Idea Sends Eflin to Astros

On Sunday, USA Today’s Bob Nightengale reported that Eflin, currently on the 15-day injured list with low back discomfort and on a rehab assignment at Double-A Chesapeake, could return shortly after the All-Star break.

“Baltimore Orioles starter Zach Eflin, who has been out with back discomfort since late June, is expected to return to the Orioles rotation after the All-Star break, and will become immediate trade bait,” wrote Nightengale.

“The Orioles also are expected to trade Charlie Morton and Tomoyuki Sugano, barring a dramatic winning streak after the break.”

In 12 starts, Eflin has a 5.95 ERA and is averaging just 6.1 strikeouts per nine innings. Still, his past success in the Philadelphia Phillies and Tampa Bay Rays’ rotations makes him an ideal fit for the Houston Astros, who could use an extra arm in the rotation.

“Despite his -0.4 WAR and 5.95 ERA this season, Eflin is a veteran who can help stabilize their rotation. Because he’s not pitching like we’ve seen in the past, he doesn’t come at much of a cost either,” Sports Illustrated’s Mark Morales-Smith wrote about how Eflin can help the Astros during the second half of the season.

“Houston holds on to their top 15 prospects in this deal, which they could use as pieces to get a left-handed slugger or continue to develop in their farm system. A reliable veteran arm that you can trust can go a long way in October. His experience would be invaluable.”

Orioles Acquire Prospects in the Swap for Eflin

In Morales-Smith’s trade idea, the Baltimore Orioles would acquire two of the Houston Astros’ top 30 prospects, right-handed pitcher James Hicks and outfielder Zach Cole.

“This is a full-blown fire sale in Baltimore. They have no reason to hold on to aging players with expiring contracts,” wrote Morales-Smith. “They will likely trade at least a few players, and Eflin should be near the top of the list. Getting a young right-handed pitcher and outfielder to develop in their farm system. While they aren’t top prospects, they both have flashed potential.”

Hicks is the Astros’ No. 16-ranked prospect on MLB Pipeline and is currently on the 60-day injured list at Double-A Corpus Christi. Before his injury, he posted a 7.41 ERA with 17 strikeouts in 17 innings. The University of South Carolina product had a 0.50 ERA at Single-A Fayetteville in 18 innings in 2024.

Cole, 24, has a .232/.329/.495 slash line with 13 home runs and 13 stolen bases in 16 attempts in 54 games this season at Double-A Corpus Christi. Neither Hicks nor Cole may be franchise-altering additions for the Orioles, but they both have shown promise as they work their way through the minor league system.