In a flurry of trade activities, the Baltimore Orioles and Tampa Bay Rays made a series of moves late Thursday night into Friday to bolster their respective rosters. One of the significant trades involved the Orioles acquiring pitcher Zach Eflin from the Rays in exchange for three promising prospects.

The deal, announced on Friday, saw the Orioles sending outfielder Matthew Etzel, right-hander Jackson Baumeister, and utility player Mac Horvath to the Rays in return for Eflin. The 30-year-old pitcher, who had spent his entire career with the Philadelphia Phillies before joining the Rays last season, has been a consistent performer on the mound.

Eflin has been a valuable asset for Tampa Bay, maintaining his impressive form from his time with the Phillies. This addition to the Baltimore rotation is expected to provide a boost to the team's pitching staff. In the current season, Eflin has recorded a 4.09 ERA, a 3.65 FIP, and a 1.164 WHIP in 19 starts, covering 110 innings.

Having finished sixth in the American League Cy Young Award voting last season, Eflin showcased his skills by posting a 16-8 record with a 3.50 ERA, a 3.01 FIP, and a 1.024 WHIP in 31 starts, totaling 177 2/3 innings. His consistent performance on the mound is likely to make him a valuable asset to the Orioles.

Interestingly, this is not a temporary addition for the Orioles as Eflin is under contract through the next season. Reports suggest that the right-hander will earn a salary of $18 million in 2025. This significant expenditure indicates the Orioles' determination to take advantage of their World Series prospects and strengthen their roster with quality additions.

The deal for Eflin comes shortly after the Orioles announced another trade with the Philadelphia Phillies. In this separate swap, the Orioles acquired reliever Seranthony Domínguez and outfielder Cristian Pache in exchange for outfielder Austin Hays. Both the Phillies and the Orioles, being strong contenders for the championship, may find this exchange mutually beneficial.

On the other hand, the Rays' decision to trade Eflin comes as they find themselves four games behind the Kansas City Royals in the race for the American League's third wild-card spot. With the Red Sox and Seattle Mariners currently ahead of them, doubts have arisen regarding the Rays' chances of securing a playoff spot. Consequently, the Rays made the choice to sell off some of their assets.

Meanwhile, the Seattle Mariners, only 3 1/2 games behind the Royals, have a chance to close the gap with the AL West-leading Houston Astros. This incentive prompted the Mariners to make their move before the trade deadline, acquiring outfielder Randy Arozarena from the Rays on Thursday night.

With these trades, both the Orioles and Rays have made strategic moves to strengthen their rosters and contend for the championship title. These deals are sure to add excitement to the race in the American League East division and shape the landscape as the trade deadline approaches.