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The Baltimore Orioles<\/strong> addressed an important offseason need by signing Zach Eflin<\/strong>, but their work on the pitching staff may not be finished. Even after bringing Eflin into the fold, there remains a growing expectation around the league that Baltimore will continue to explore options for additional starting pitching<\/strong> before the season begins.<\/p>\n While Eflin provides experience and depth, the move appears more like a calculated gamble than a definitive solution. The Orioles have improved their rotation on paper, but questions surrounding durability and reliability suggest another arm could still be on the way.<\/p>\n According to CBS Sports\u2019 Mike Axisa<\/strong>, Baltimore remains a team to watch in the pitching market, largely due to Eflin\u2019s recent injury history.<\/p>\n \u201cBack trouble and a lat strain limited Eflin, 31, to 14 mostly ineffective starts in 2025,\u201d Axisa wrote. \u201cHe was a rock-solid mid-rotation starter from 2023\u201324, however, one with a knack for limiting walks and hard contact. Nabbing him for one year and $10 million guaranteed is a nice roll of the dice for an O\u2019s team that could still use another starter, but is much improved this offseason.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n That assessment captures the reality of the move. At his best, Eflin has proven capable of stabilizing a rotation, particularly as a mid-rotation arm who throws strikes and avoids free passes. Those traits are valuable, especially for a team aiming to contend. At the same time, the Orioles are well aware that recent production and availability raise legitimate concerns.<\/p>\n From a financial standpoint, the signing makes sense. A one-year, $10 million deal<\/strong> represents limited risk for a club with postseason aspirations. If Eflin rebounds to form, the Orioles get strong value. If injuries or inconsistency persist, the commitment does not cripple long-term flexibility.<\/p>\n That said, Eflin is no longer the pitcher he once was. While there\u2019s a path to improvement, expecting him to perform like a top-of-the-rotation arm would be unrealistic. He is not an ace, and at this stage of his career, he may never be one again.<\/p>\n The Orioles don\u2019t necessarily need a true ace to succeed. What they do need is dependability<\/strong>\u2014a starter who can take the ball regularly, give them innings, and keep games competitive. That\u2019s where uncertainty enters the picture.<\/p>\n Eflin appeared in just 14 games last season<\/strong>, finishing with a 5.93 ERA<\/strong>. Injuries clearly played a role, and it\u2019s fair to believe his performance was impacted by physical limitations. Still, availability matters just as much as upside, especially for a team with playoff expectations.<\/p>\n Baltimore cannot afford to enter the season relying heavily on a pitcher with recent durability issues unless there is sufficient depth behind him. Over the course of a long season, injuries are inevitable, and teams without rotation depth often feel the effects most sharply in the second half.<\/p>\n Given those realities, it wouldn\u2019t be surprising to see the Orioles add another starter\u2014someone who may not be flashy, but who provides insurance. Whether through free agency, a short-term deal, or a depth trade, Baltimore appears positioned to keep looking.<\/p>\n The front office has already shown a willingness to be proactive this offseason. Adding Eflin improved the rotation, but it didn\u2019t eliminate every question mark. One more reliable arm could go a long way toward stabilizing the staff and protecting against setbacks.<\/p>\n In short, the Orioles made a smart move by signing Zach Eflin. It was affordable, sensible, and potentially rewarding. But if Baltimore truly wants to position itself for a deep run, pitching depth remains a priority<\/strong>\u2014and the expectation around the league is that they aren\u2019t done yet.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Orioles expected to still add another starter after making $10 million decision Orioles Still Expected to Pursue Additional Pitching Despite Zach Eflin Signing The Baltimore Orioles addressed… <\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":3,"featured_media":132270,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[4],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-132221","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-mlb"],"yoast_head":"\n<\/p>\n
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A Low-Risk Bet \u2014 But Not a Rotation Anchor<\/h3>\n
Durability Remains the Biggest Question<\/h3>\n
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<\/p>\nWhy Another Starter Still Makes Sense<\/h3>\n
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