CHICAGO — The North Side just got a whole lot louder.
In one of the most stunning moves of the 2025 MLB offseason, the Chicago Cubs have emerged victorious in a dramatic, all-out bidding war for top free-agent pitcher Zach Eflin. The former Orioles ace was one of the most coveted arms on the market, drawing heavy interest from the Boston Red Sox, Detroit Tigers, and his former team, the Tampa Bay Rays. But it was the Cubs who ultimately came out swinging — and landed the prize.
The deal? Reportedly five years, $110 million — and a clear message to the rest of the National League: the Cubs are all-in.
Eflin, 31, is coming off a career year with Baltimore, where he posted a 3.12 ERA, 1.08 WHIP, and 187 strikeouts over 191 innings. His blend of pinpoint control and veteran poise made him the jewel of the 2025 free-agent class, especially for teams looking to solidify the top of their rotation.
Cubs President of Baseball Operations Jed Hoyer didn’t mince words in his late-night press conference.
> “Zach was our guy from the beginning,” Hoyer said. “We knew the competition would be fierce. But we also knew what he could mean to our rotation and to our postseason aspirations.”
A Rotation Reinvented
Eflin now joins a Cubs rotation that already includes promising young arms like Jordan Wicks and Cade Horton, as well as veteran Jameson Taillon. But make no mistake — Eflin is the new ace. His presence transforms the Cubs from a fringe playoff hopeful into a legitimate NL contender.
After missing the postseason by a narrow margin in 2024, the Cubs are clearly ready to turn the page — and they just used a big, bold signature to do it.
Bidding War Breakdown
According to multiple sources, the Red Sox were “aggressive to the bitter end,” offering a four-year deal with a higher annual average value. The Tigers reportedly threw in a sixth-year vesting option. And the Rays made a heartfelt pitch to bring Eflin back to Tampa.
But it was Chicago’s mix of money, momentum, and vision that ultimately sealed the deal.
> “I felt like the Cubs wanted me not just as a pitcher, but as a leader,” Eflin said during his introductory Zoom call. “The energy around this team is real. I want to be part of something special.”
Wrigley Field is Ready
Eflin’s arrival electrifies a fan base that has been hungry for a return to October baseball. With a mix of young talent, savvy front office moves, and now a bona fide ace, the Cubs may be on the verge of something big.
Spring can’t come soon enough.
What’s Next for the Cubs?
The Eflin signing may just be the beginning. Rumors are swirling that the Cubs aren’t done adding. A big bat for the middle of the lineup? Bullpen reinforcements? This front office is clearly willing to spend — and compete.
But for now, Cubs fans can celebrate a rare victory in the free-agent battlefield. The North Side has its ace. The National League has been warned.