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.
G. Fiume/Getty Images
"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
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
15 minutes ago
- Yahoo
Cardinals Round Out First Day of Draft with Power Pitcher, Two Lefty Bats
Cardinals Round Out First Day of Draft with Power Pitcher, Two Lefty Bats originally appeared on Athlon Sports. After selecting left-handed pitcher Liam Doyle with the No. 5 pick in the 2025 MLB Draft, the St. Louis Cardinals made three more selections on day one at Nos. 55, 72 and 89. Advertisement Ryan Mitchell - Round 2, Pick No. 55 With their second pick in the draft, the Cardinals drafted 18-year-old Ryan Mitchell out of Houston High School in Germantown, Tennessee. The left-handed hitting middle infielder is known for his disciplined approach at the plate with "advanced feel for the barrel and a willingness to use the entire field," according to an MLB Pipeline scouting report. The current-Georgia Tech commit has the ability to compete at the minor league level which should prove helpful in the Cardinals' pursuit of signing the draftee, but it's likely that Mitchell will move away from his regular shortstop position due to average throwing strength in the field and an already-present organizational logjam in the position. The team could move him to second base or potentially center field. Advertisement MLB Pipeline Scouting Grades: Hit: 60, Power: 50, Run: 55, Arm: 50, Field: 50, Overall: 50 Tanner Franklin pitches against Wake Forest at the NCAA college baseball Knoxville Regional final on June 2, 2025. Saul Young-News Sentinel, USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn ImagesSaul Young-News Sentinel, USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images Tanner Franklin - Competitive Balance Round B, Pick No. 72 The Cardinals drafted their second pitcher with their third day-one pick, selecting Doyle's teammate out of Tennessee, right-handed reliever Tanner Franklin. Franklin, 21, is known for being a two-pitch flame thrower out of the 'pen. With a fastball that reaches 102 mph and a 90-mph cutter, the hard-throwing righty had one of the best swing-and-miss rates among NCAA Division I. While his stuff can fly, Franklin has shown inconsistencies on the bump at the college level, struggling with pitch command inside and outside the zone. Advertisement With a ceiling of becoming a legitimate closer at the MLB level, though, it's not an outlandish move for the Cardinals to take a chance on a reliever like Franklin. MLB Pipeline Scouting Grades: Fastball: 70, Cutter: 50, Control: 50, Overall: 45 Jack Gurevitch - Round 3, Pick No. 89 The team wrapped up day one of draft festivities with another infielder in first baseman Jack Gurevitch out of the University of San Diego. Gurevitch, 21, is another prospect who has a high ceiling with the capability of becoming a great left-handed hitter. With high exit velocities in college, there is some belief among MLB scouts that the six-foot first baseman has more power to develop that hasn't been shown yet. Advertisement With a hard swing comes aggressiveness, which can lead to chasing on too many pitches out of the zone - something Gurevitch has struggled with in college. MLB Pipeline Scouting Grades: Hit: 55, Power: 45, Run: 45, Arm: 50, Field: 45, Overall: 45 Related: Cardinals Select Liam Doyle With Fifth Overall Pick in MLB Draft Related: Cardinals Announce Injury News After Loss to Braves This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jul 14, 2025, where it first appeared.
Yahoo
18 minutes ago
- Yahoo
Athletics star Brent Rooker takes shot at MLB after Home Run Derby defeat
Seattle Mariners catcher Cal Raleigh, Major League Baseball's current home run leader, won the 2025 Home Run Derby on Monday night. It was a fitting moment for the game's best catcher, compiling another accomplishment during the best season of his career. And yet, he was unfathomably close to joining the long list of Derby favorites to finish without a trophy. Advertisement Raleigh and Athletics star Brent Rooker both hit 17 home runs in the first round at Truist Park. Both had hit their longest home run at 471 feet. Rather than a swing-off to break the tie, MLB turned to the microscope, finding that Raleigh's homer traveled 470.62 feet, compared to Rooker's 470.54 feet. Rooker isn't alone in his skepticism That, undeniably, is a rough way to lose. It's also not a very entertaining one. Fans traveled to Atlanta and turned to ESPN to watch the game's best players hit home runs, even if it meant enduring a subpar broadcasting effort (the Statcast version on ESPN2 rightfully received much warmer reviews). What's the harm in taking a few more swings in the Cobb County night? Advertisement Rooker spoke after the Derby about his defeat with some not-so-subtle pointers for MLB. "Yeah, that's interesting,' Rooker said, via Anne Rogers. 'Last I knew, we were both at 471, because that's obviously the number they put up there. Maybe if they go to the decimal point, they should display that during the Derby and not wait until everyone's done to bring out that information. That might be helpful.' "... It is what it is. Obviously had a great time out there. Cal's a great competitor. He put on a good performance, too. Rules are the rules in terms of what makes up the semifinals.' MORE: Cubs sign 2.25 ERA relief pitcher after MLB Draft Advertisement There is no evidence to suggest that the league is rigging exhibition events. But if conspiracy theorists were tuning in, MLB didn't do a great job of exonerating itself. The graphic displaying just how slim the margins were went to 10 decimal places. In essence, the broadcast expected fans to believe that it can be precise to the 10 billionth of an inch. It can't. Statcast and the technological booms that made baseball as scientific as it is today have changed the sport for the better and are far more reliable than alternatives. But they aren't perfect and often consist of margins of error. Between minute differences in each baseball, atmospheric conditions at any moment, and several other factors, there's no guarantee a distance projection to the inch is perfect, much less orders of magnitude smaller. Advertisement The graphic, more than anything else, was much like the Derby itself, good-natured and entertaining, if also imperfect. In either event, it's worth noting that Rooker handled his defeat amicably, despite his criticism. "No, no, no, no. Not at all,' Rooker said, regarding potential frustration. 'It was super fun, like I said, a great experience that I'm glad I got.' Raleigh, with his father pitching and brother catching, put on a show. Rooker, for a round, was right there with him. The two will get to have another Derby of sorts in late July when the Mariners visit the Athletics' West Sacramento launching pad. MORE MLB NEWS
Newsweek
40 minutes ago
- Newsweek
How to Watch MLB All-Star Pregame Show: Live Stream 2025 All-Star Tuesday, Jeter, A Rod, Big Papi, TV Channel
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. With the 2025 Midsummer Classic set to take place on Tuesday night, the festivities get started in Atlanta with the FOX pregame show featuring Alex Rodriguez, David Ortiz, and David Ortiz. Former MLB players (L-R) Alex Rodriguez, David Ortiz and Derek Jeter have a laugh during the television pre game show before a game between the New York Yankees and the Los Angeles Dodgers at Yankee... Former MLB players (L-R) Alex Rodriguez, David Ortiz and Derek Jeter have a laugh during the television pre game show before a game between the New York Yankees and the Los Angeles Dodgers at Yankee Stadium on June 08, 2024 in New York City. The Dodgers defeated the Yankees 11-3. MoreHow to Watch MLB All-Star Pregame Show Date: Tuesday, July 15, 2025 Time: 7:00 p.m. ET Channel: FOX Stream: FuboTV (TRY FOR FREE) All of the biggest stars of the game, including Shohei Ohtani, Aaron Judge, and Paul Skenes, are in Atlanta for the 2025 MLB All-Star Game. Before the players take the field, the MLB on FOX Pregame show will get fans ready for all the action set to take place at Truist Field. The three MLB legends, A Rod, Big Papi, and Jeter, will take the stage about an hour before the first pitch, but the fun does not stop there. The FOX 11 All-Star Pregame show begins two hours before the game and will also feature interviews with some of your favorite players before they take the field. The trio of former New York Yankees and Boston Red Sox rivals is becoming one of the most entertaining pregame shows in all of sports. From the banter to the "MY DAWG" t-shirts that Ortiz gives out on set, MLB on FOX is up there with shows like Inside the NBA when it comes to getting interesting and genuine reactions from former and current players. This is a great MLB event and the most exciting All-Star game across sports that you will not want to miss. Make sure to tune in and catch all the action. Live stream MLB All-Star Pregame Show on FOX for free with Fubo: Start your subscription now! Regional restrictions may apply. If you purchase a product or register for an account through one of the links on our site, we may receive compensation.
