Zach Eflin signing just sent a subtle message about the Orioles' offseason plans

Over the weekend, the Baltimore Orioles reunited with starting pitcher Zach Eflin. The Orioles reportedly inked the right-hander to a one-year deal worth $10 million with a mutual option for 2027. According to FanSided's Robert Murray, Eflin will receive $5 million salary plus a $3 million signing bonus for 2026. His option contains a $2 million buyout plus incentives.

Eflin certainly fills a need for an Orioles team that is starved for starting pitching, but one has to wonder if this latest signing is a signal that Baltimore is no longer shopping for a top-of-the-rotation starter this winter.

The O's have been linked to several starting pitchers this offseason — both in free agency and trades — but adding Eflin might've just closed the books on Baltimore's offseason spending spree.

Orioles sign Zach Eflin to one-year deal, but questions about Baltimore's starting rotation remain

Eflin spent most of the 2024 season with the Tampa Bay Rays, and was dealt to Baltimore shortly before the MLB trade deadline in a deal that included Matthew Etzel, Jackson Baumeister, and Mac Horvath.

Eflin was the O's Opening Day starter last season, but made only 14 appearances and posted a rather unsightly 5.93 ERA. A late-season surgery — lumbar microdiscectomy — officially ended Eflin's 2025 campaign and he was placed on the 60-day IL in mid-August.

When healthy, Eflin is a mid-rotation starter who has a strong command of the strike zone and consistently limits walks. The long ball, however, was a huge problem for the veteran in 2025. Eflin saw 18 balls leave the yard last season and his 2.27 HR/9 was the highest among all starters with at least 70 innings pitched.

The Orioles had been linked to Miami Marlins starter Edward Cabrera and were rumored to checking in on Framber Valdez. Recent reporting, however, revealed that Baltimore is no longer in the mix for Cabrera, and after signing Eflin, one can assume that Valdez is no longer atop the O's shopping list this offseason.

But fans have been fooled before. The surprise additions of Taylor Ward and Pete Alonso and the recent trade for former Rays' starter Shane Baz have already caught O's fans off guard. Eflin's deal may have ended Baltimore's pursuit of a top-end starter, but Mike Elias may still have an ace up his sleeve.