The Baltimore Orioles are expected to be in the mix for some of the top starters available this winter, but they could also lose some players from their current roster.
After trading Grayson Rodriguez, there’s a strong possibility he won’t be the only pitcher who doesn’t return for the 2026 campaign.
Another candidate who could move on in free agency would be Zach Eflin, the 31-year-old right-hander the Orioles acquired in a deal with the Tampa Bay Rays just two trade deadlines ago.
When searching for ways the Mets could improve, SNY recently wrote an article suggesting that Eflin could be among the options for them to pursue.
“The Mets are likely to be in pursuit of starting pitching help closer to the top of the trade and free agent market. In 2025, New York’s starting pitching fell off after May. Part of that was the fact that they more or less ran out of starters due to injuries.
“Even if the Mets do acquire a frontline starter, veteran depth at the back end is something they also need… Eflin is one of the best strike-throwers in baseball, ranking in the 98th percentile or better in walk percentage each of the last three seasons. When he is right, he throws six pitches that generate plus chase rate numbers and keeps the ball on the ground with weak contact. And the Mets have upgraded their infield defense with the addition of Marcus Semien,” Joe DeMayo wrote.
The Mets are expected to be heavily involved with some of the top starters available this winter.
It’s tough to say that Eflin is a true top-end starter at this point, especially after posting a 5.93 ERA last season, but there have been other stretches throughout his career when he’s been very good, and New York could be betting on that.
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