*Photo from Bally Sports*
You mean to tell me that Tampa Bay is starting to spend a little? Interesting. The Tampa Bay Rays and RHP Zach Eflin have agreed to a 3 year, $40 million deal, with Jeff Passan being first on the news. The Rays have confirmed.
As usual, Eflin started 2022 in the starting rotation for the Philadelphia Phillies. However, he went down with a right knee injury, keeping him out for almost 3 months. When he returned in September, he didn't have enough time to return to a full starter workload, so he came out of the bullpen to end the regular season and throughout the postseason. The Rays are planning to use Eflin as a starter.
Entering the offseason, the Rays were looking to go after one starting pitcher to round out their rotation. They found their man in Eflin, who turned down similar offers to return to his home state of Florida, being a native of Orlando. Eflin was a first round draft pick in 2012 by the San Diego Padres.
Last season was Eflin's 7th with the Phillies, being one of the longest tenured in Philadelphia. He ended the season with a 4.04 ERA, 3.56 FIP, and 1.12 WHIP, striking out 65 hitters in 75 2/3 innings, making 13 starts and 7 relief appearances. He had a 3.38 ERA in 10 relief appearances in the playoffs.
Eflin has spent his entire career with the Phillies after being a part of a trade for Jimmy Rollins. In his career, he has a 1.30 WHIP, 4.36 FIP, and 4.49 ERA, notching 552 strikeouts in 659 1/3 innings, with 115 starts and 12 relief appearances under his belt. Eflin's playoff stats from 2022 are the only numbers in the postseason he has.
The $40 million over 3 years given to Eflin marks the largest free agent contract given out by the Rays. The deal surpasses the 5 year, $35 million contract given out to Wilson Alvarez prior to the 1998 season, the first season of baseball for the then Devil Rays.
With the signing of Eflin, the Rays now have 5 starters to round out their rotation. He'll join Shane McClanahan, Tyler Glasnow, Drew Rasmussen, and Jeffrey Springs as the likely opening day rotation.
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