Cubs Linked to Orioles Starter Zach Eflin as Potential Trade Target

Cubs Linked to Orioles Starter Zach Eflin as Potential Trade Target originally appeared on Athlon Sports.

The Chicago Cubs’ offense is one of the best in baseball. With a top-shelf offense, an ascending bullpen, and great defense, the only missing piece for the Cubs to be serious World Series contenders is a strong starting rotation.

With the injuries and struggles from the Cubs’ rotation to start the year, including Justin Steele, Shota Imanaga, and Javier Assad, the Cubs have been linked to various pitchers in the trade market.

Bruce Levine went on 670 The Score and mentioned one of the most recent targets for the Cubs: Baltimore Orioles pitcher Zach Eflin.

“Eflin’s a very good pitcher as well,” Levine said. “He’s had some injury issues, and is just getting back to form.”

After dealing with a right lat strain in April, Eflin returned to the mound, struggling in his first few starts. But, after seven scoreless innings against the Chicago White Sox, things turned around for the 10-year MLB veteran.

With the Cubs having a clear need in the rotation and with the Orioles starting the year on a terrible note, Eflin makes sense as a potential trade target for the Cubs. The 31-year-old is in the final year of a three-year, $40 million contract. He’s a rental for the Cubs, and likely a reasonably priced one at that.

In 2025, Eflin is making $13.3 million. They’d add a veteran pitcher with a decade of experience, on a reasonable deal, who has experience being a part of a deep postseason run.

Baltimore Orioles starter Zach Eflin (24) delivers a pitch during the first inning against the Seattle Mariners at T-Mobile Park.Stephen Brashear-Imagn Images

Eflin has big-game experience, pitching in the 2022 World Series and postseason with the Philadelphia Phillies. In his 10 appearances in the 2022 postseason with the Phillies, Eflin had a solid 3.38 ERA. But, Eflin wasn’t a starter, instead being a high-leverage reliever for the Phillies.

His ability to shift back to the bullpen makes him a nice trade target for the Cubs. If other starters perform well, or they make another trade for a different starter, Eflin could slide back into the bullpen, something he’s done before.

As a starter for the Orioles in 2025, Eflin hasn’t been himself. He has a 4.47 ERA in eight starts, but has a 5-2 record despite the high ERA. Eflin has 31 strikeouts and six walks on the year, along with 10 home runs allowed in 46.1 innings of work.

While his 2025 hasn’t been up to his previous standards, like his 16-win 2023 season with the Tampa Bay Rays, Eflin is still a solid target for the Cubs to go after. Levine’s mention of Eflin as a fit for the Cubs makes sense, and with Eflin getting back into shape following his injury, the Cubs are expected to be interested in the Orioles starter.

This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jun 9, 2025, where it first appeared.

Cubs Linked to Orioles Starter Zach Eflin as Potential Trade Target

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