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On the same day that we opined that it may take Zach Eflin proving he's healthy before signing a new deal, the Baltimore Orioles proved us wrong. The Orioles are bringing Eflin back on a one-year deal worth $10M, but the breakdown of the veteran's deal with Baltimore continues the success that Mike Elias and Co. have had this offseason.
It was a 2025 season that Eflin wishes he could forget. It ended in August when he underwent back surgery, which has a recovery timeline of 4-8 months. When he was healthy, he posted a 5.93 ERA in 14 starts. That's why it was a surprise to see the Orioles being the team to hand him $10M, but the deal is strategically structured.
With Zach Eflin's return to Baltimore, the Orioles afforded themselves protection in his new contract
FanSided's own Robert Murray provided the contract details of Eflin's return to Baltimore, and it should work in the Orioles' favor. Eflin will carry a base salary of $5M next season, with a $3M signing bonus. There is a $25M mutual option for the 2027 season (or a $2M buyout). Depending on how many starts Eflin makes in 2026, both the option and buyout can increase by $1M, depending on the threshold met.
Breakdown of Zach Eflin’s one-year, $10 million contract with the Orioles, per source: $5 million salary in 2026. $3 million signing bonus. $2 million buyout. The buyout and option can both increase by $1 million with 15 starts in 2026, an additional $1.5 million with 20 starts,…
— Robert Murray (@ByRobertMurray) December 29, 2025
If Eflin is the pitcher he was when he first arrived from the Tampa Bay Rays during the 2024 season, posting a 2.60 ERA in 9 starts while striking out 21% of the hitters he faced, this is extremely good value for Baltimore. On the other side of the coin, if Eflin's 2026 season is a repeat of the injuries and ineffectiveness that plagued him in 2025, Baltimore can easily wipe their hands of the situation next offseason.
Entering the offseason, there wasn't a scenario where the Orioles should have earmarked Eflin's return as their way of addressing the need in the rotation. However, after adding Shane Baz, reuniting with Eflin as a backend option in the rotation makes sense for Baltimore.
Not to mention, if they really wanted to, they still have the space to make another big-ticket addition to the rotation.