Zach Eflin lands 3-year deal with Tampa Bay Rays

Zach Eflin has landed a 3-year deal with the Tampa Bay Rays pending a physical, according to Jeff Passan of ESPN.

Zach Eflin Signs with the Tampa Bay Rays

Right-hander Zach Eflin and the Tampa Bay Rays are in agreement on a three-year contract, pending physical, sources familiar with the deal tell ESPN.

— Jeff Passan (@JeffPassan) December 2, 2022

Eflin’s deal is reportedly worth $40 million over the three-year span. He gets just $1.6M less than his 2023 option would’ve been with the Phillies had he accepted the offer.

Zach Eflin battled injuries in 2022, beginning the year as a starter and turning into a valuable reliever for the playoff run and the chase for the World Series.

Eflin had a 101 ERA+ in 2022, throwing six combined scoreless innings in the NLCS and World Series. Eflin was always a consistent 4th starter for the Phillies and gave the team some crucial innings during his seven years with the team, being the longest-tenured Phillie just behind Aaron Nola.

There’s no word on the Rays’ plan with Eflin as of now, but it seems that Zach wants to turn back into a starter if possible. The Rays are no strangers to developing and rehabbing pitchers, so they’ll be able to get Eflin back on the right foot in no time.