Tampa Bay Rays Splurge On Free Agent Pitcher Zach Eflin

The Tampa Bay Rays have developed the reputation of being a winning franchise on a shoestring budget.

The reputation is well-deserved. The Rays have qualified for the postseason each of the past four seasons despite having one of the lowest payrolls in the major leagues.

However, the Rays will occasionally splurge on a player. They have done so in the case of free agent right-hander Zach Eflin.

The Rays and Eflin have agreed to a three-year, $40-million contract, pending the 28-year-old passing a physical examination.

It will be the largest free-agent contract in franchise history.

Then an expansion team, Tampa Bay signed left-hander Wilson Alvarez to a five-year, $35-million contract prior to the 1998 season. Right-hander Charlie Morton got a two-year, $30-million deal prior to the 2019 season.

The franchise got mixed results from the two signings.

Alvarez was just 17-26 with a 4.62 ERA in 76 games (63 starts) in three seasons before being released. Morton helped the Rays reach the World Series in 2020 and had an 18-8 record and 3.33 ERA in 42 starts over two seasons.

The Rays are hoping Eflin came overcome a knee injury that limited him to 20 games (13 starts) last season. He was on the injured list from June 26-Sept. 13 and moved from the rotation to the bullpen upon his activation.

Overall, Eflin was 3-5 with one save and a 4.04 ERA as the Phillies got to the World Series where they lost to the Houston Astros. He made 10 relief appearances in the postseason and allowed four runs in 10 2/3 innings.

Efllin has spent his entire seven-year career in Philadelphia, going 36-45 with a 4.49 ERA in 127 games (115 starts.

With the Rays, Eflin will join a rotation that should include left-handers Shane McClanahan and Jeffrey Springs and right-handers Tyler Glasnow and Drew Rasmussen.

Eflin signing with Tampa Bay represents something of a homecoming. He graduated from Paul J. Hagerty High School in Orlando in 2012 and was drafted in the first round by the San Diego Padres that year.