MLB trade rumors: San Diego Padres potentially eyeing $40 million pitcher to bolsdter squad and improve title odds | MLB News
The San Diego Padres are looking for rotation help after losing Dylan Cease, and one pitcher drawing interest is Zach Eflin. His recent run with the Baltimore Orioles was uneven, but teams still see him as someone who can take the ball regularly and keep games under control.San Diego’s focus is simple. Top starters are expensive, and the Padres are not shopping at the top of the market. They want someone who can give them steady innings, keep the bullpen fresh, and fit within their budget. Eflin fits that plan, especially after showing signs of form following his 2024 deadline move.
Why the San Diego Padres are considering Eflin
Zach Eflin is 32 and heading into free agency after finishing a three-year, $40 million contract that began with the Tampa Bay Rays and ended in Baltimore. This would be a free-agent signing, not a trade.
Baltimore Orioles starting pitcher Zach Eflin (Image via a Getty)
The San Diego Padres are looking for value in a thin pitching market. Eflin stands out because of his track record and his ability to work efficiently. Around the league, a deal in the range of three years and $48 million is viewed as realistic. If health becomes a concern, a shorter deal with incentives and options could also make sense.
How Zach Elfin fits in San Diego Padres’ rotation
With Cease gone, the Padres are not chasing upside. They need reliability. Eflin would likely slot in as a No. 3 or No. 4 starter behind Nick Pivetta and Joe Musgrove.His approach fits well at Petco Park. Eflin limits walks, with a career rate around 3.2 percent, and relies heavily on his sinker to keep the ball on the ground. That style helps reduce big innings and allows him to pitch deeper into games, even when strikeouts are not there.
Recent performance snapshot
| Year | Team | IP | ERA | WHIP | K/9 | BB/9 | GB% | WAR |
| 2023 | Tampa Bay | 177.2 | 3.59 | 1.15 | 9.4 | 2.0 | ~48% | 3.2 |
| 2024 (post-deadline) | Baltimore | ~65 | 2.60 | – | 7.6 | – | High | Strong |
| 2025 | Baltimore | 71.1 | 5.93 | 1.42 | 6.3 | ~1.6 | ~45% | 0.5 |
| Career | – | 1,073 | 4.28 | 1.24 | 7.7 | 3.2 | 48% | Solid |
The 2024 stretch in Baltimore showed that Eflin can still be effective. The 2025 season, however, showed how quickly things can turn when health and command slip.
Upside and risk for the San Diego Padres
Why the Padres see value:
• He has a history of handling starter workloads• He throws strikes and avoids free passes• His ground-ball rate fits the home park• He brings experience without needing to be the top arm
What gives them pause:
• Back issues limited him in 2025• Velocity has trended down• Less room for error if command fadesAt 6-foot-6, Eflin has generally held up over full seasons, but health will be the deciding factor in how much value he provides.Also read: Mlb trade rumors: Chicago Cubs urged to pursue $260 million Colorado Rockies superstar as Matt Shaw replacementThis move would not be about headlines. It would be about stability. If Eflin stays healthy, he can give the Padres steady innings at a reasonable cost and help cover the gap left by Cease. For a team trying to compete without overspending, that kind of addition makes sense.
