The Baltimore Orioles have tumbled to the bottom of the American League East less than a year after being seen as World Series contenders.
Their collapse has been one of the biggest surprises of the 2025 MLB season. After years of rebuilding, the Orioles finally broke through in 2023 with 101 wins. Two seasons later, they’re expected to be sellers at the trade deadline, according to one MLB insider.
Mark Feinsand Believes Orioles Will Make Zach Eflin Available
MLB insider Mark Feinsand reported that starting pitcher Zach Eflin could be Baltimore’s top trade chip. Eflin originally signed a three-year, $40 million contract with the Tampa Bay Rays. After a strong first season in Tampa Bay, he struggled and was dealt to the Orioles the following year.
In the final year of that deal, Eflin is earning $18 million and could soon be on the move again. Since signing the contract, he’s posted a 3.54 ERA and remains known for his elite control and ability to limit hard contact. While he’s not overpowering, his consistency and low walk rate make him an appealing option for playoff teams looking for reliable innings.
The idea that Baltimore could be deadline sellers would’ve been unthinkable a year ago. The team reached the playoffs again last season, and while their early exit was chalked up to growing pains, it may have hinted at deeper issues.
The Orioles are more than 14 games out of first in the AL East and sit 11 games back in the wild-card race. Manager Brandon Hyde was let go after a poor start, just two years removed from winning AL Manager of the Year.
Eflin has been one of the few bright spots on a pitching staff that’s fallen apart. The team had hoped Grayson Rodriguez would step up after moving on from longtime ace John Means and 2021 Cy Young winner Corbin Burnes during the offseason. But Rodriguez has been out all year with elbow and lat soreness.
Free-agent signings Charlie Morton and Kyle Gibson have both underperformed. The trade for former All-Star Trevor Rogers hasn’t panned out either. Top prospect Cade Povich was called up to help fill the rotation, but has a 5.23 ERA through eight starts.
With the season slipping away, the Orioles may face tough questions again this winter, including whether they’re finally willing to trade a top hitting prospect like Coby Mayo to land a frontline starter.
With traditionally high-spending teams in the division like the New York Yankees, Boston Red Sox, and Toronto Blue Jays, the Orioles must carefully time their contending window.