Mets suffer another blow as Pete Alonso leaves town for Baltimore
USA TODAY Sports’ Gabe Lacques breaks down the acquisition of Pete Alonso by the Orioles and what it means for the Mets moving forward.
Sports Pulse
Veteran right-hander Zach Eflin is returning to the Baltimore Orioles on a one-year, $10 million contract, the team announced on Sunday, Dec. 28. The deal also includes a mutual option for 2027.
The Orioles, who have already made several significant moves this offseason, added another piece to their starting rotation, one that also includes Kyle Bradish, Trevor Rogers and right-hander Shane Baz, whom they acquired in a trade with the Tampa Bay Rays.
Eflin, 31, made several trips to the injured list surrounding his 14 starts for the Orioles in 2025 before undergoing season-ending back surgery in August. He posted a 6-5 record and 5.93 ERA in 71 1/3 innings, but was much more effective in 2024 − when he split time with the O’s and Rays and finished with a 3.59 ERA in 165 1/3 innings.
Eflin was the Orioles’ opening day starter last season, but he figures to slot in as a No. 4 in the revamped rotation.
Upgrading the team’s starting pitching was a major offseason goal for Orioles president of baseball operations Mike Elias after ranking 24th in the majors in ERA a year ago.
Baltimore has also made a couple of additions on offense, most notably the signing of free agent first baseman Pete Alonso to a five-year, $155 million contract.