The Baltimore Orioles have re-signed veteran right-hander Zach Eflin to a one-year contract worth $10 million guaranteed, with a mutual option for 2027. This move comes amid an active offseason following their 75-87 finish in last place in the AL East in 2025. Eflin joins a revamped rotation as the team seeks to rebound in a competitive division.
After a disappointing 2025 season where they finished 75-87 and last in the AL East, the Baltimore Orioles have been the most active team in MLB this offseason. They added power hitter Pete Alonso, bolstered the bullpen with Ryan Helsley and Andrew Kittredge, traded Grayson Rodriguez for outfielder Taylor Ward, and acquired pitcher Shane Baz in exchange for prospects. Additionally, they named Craig Albernaz as their new manager.
The latest addition is the re-signing of Zach Eflin, announced over the weekend. "We have agreed to terms with RHP Zach Eflin on a one-year major league contract for the 2026 season with a mutual option for 2027," the team stated. "Welcome back to Birdland, Zach!" Eflin will slot into a rotation that includes holdovers Kyle Bradish, Dean Kremer, and Trevor Rogers, alongside newcomers Baz and Eflin. The projected starters are Trevor Rogers, Kyle Bradish, Shane Baz, Zach Eflin, and Dean Kremer, with depth from Cade Povich, Tyler Wells, and Brandon Young.
Despite these moves, the Orioles still seek a top-tier starter to anchor the staff. Available free agents include Dylan Cease, Michael King, Zac Gallen, Tatsuya Imai, Ranger Suárez, and Framber Valdez. The bullpen features Helsley as closer, with Keegan Akin and Andrew Kittredge in setup roles, but the middle relief could use reinforcement, especially as Yennier Cano's performance has declined.
Payroll for 2026 is projected at $151.6 million, up from previous years but still mid-pack. The team has room to add, potentially by trading Ryan Mountcastle to free up $8 million. Offensively, young hitters like Adley Rutschman and Heston Kjerstad have stalled, contributing to a drop from a top-ranked unit in 2024 to a weaker one in 2025. FanGraphs projects the Orioles as the eighth-best team, with World Series odds at +2200. While the moves position them for a playoff push, the health of the roster and resurgence of homegrown talent will be key in the brutal AL East.
