Trade for Orioles Starter Would Fill Yankees' 'Imperative' Deadline Need
The New York Yankees know they need to add starting pitching ahead of the trade deadline in a few weeks.
Brian Cashman will have options to choose from, andthe team knows it needs to bring in someone to push for the American League East title. Tim Kelly of Bleacher Report believes the Bronx Bombers could pursue Baltimore Orioles starter Zach Eflin.
BALTIMORE, MARYLAND - JUNE 28: Zach Eflin #24 of the Baltimore Orioles pitches against the Tampa Bay Rays at Oriole Park at Camden Yards on June 28, 2025 in Baltimore, Maryland.
BALTIMORE, MARYLAND - JUNE 28: Zach Eflin #24 of the Baltimore Orioles pitches against the Tampa Bay Rays at Oriole Park at Camden Yards on June 28, 2025 in Baltimore, Maryland.
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"Zach Eflin is currently on the injured list with lower back discomfort," wrote Kelly. "Injuries have been a theme throughout his career, but this is someone with experience both as a starter and reliever in the postseason who could help the Yankees. The plan in acquiring the 31-year-old would be for him to be the No. 3 starter in the rotation behind Max Fried and Carlos Rodón."
Eflin hasn't had the best season so far for the Orioles as he's posted a 5.95 ERA in 12 starts. His strikeout numbers are down from the previous two seasons as he's only striking out 6.1 batters every nine innings.
He's someone who could bounce back for the Yankees, and his situation makes him the type of player they could take a chance on at the end of the month.
"Getting another postseason starter will be imperative for general manager Brian Cashman after losing Clarke Schmidt for the year to Tommy John surgery," wrote Kelly. "Eflin is a rental, so the Yankees could acquire him from the division-rival Orioles without having to trade a top-100 prospect. That would leave them wiggle room to address other areas on the roster, such as third base and the back of the bullpen."
Grabbing a starter at the deadline without giving up a top-100 prospect is the perfect situation. Eflin's numbers this year will lower his value, so Baltimore won't get as much back as it would have if his ERA was much lower. If he's still on the injured list at the deadline but making progress, the Yankees could try to grab him for even less.
Overall, this is a low-risk, high-reward type of move the Yankees should look into making even within their own division.
More MLB: Yankees Pushed to Finally Cut Ties With Struggling 30-Year-Old Reliever
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