The Tampa Bay Rays made the first major move for a free agent pitcher, signing right-hander Zach Eflin to a three-year, $40 million contract.
The deal is the largest free agent deal in Rays history.
The 28-year-old is a native of Orlando and will enjoy a homecoming of sorts.
The right-hander emerged as the closer for the Philadelphia Phillies during their magical run to the World Series this October.
MLB Network analysts compared Eflin’s deal to some of the bigger deals in Rays history.
Eflin will be earning a higher AAV than Wilson Alvarez and Greg Vaughn earned in their contracts with the Rays, then the Devil Rays.
Alvarez’s deal was for five years, with Vaughn’s being four years in length.
Eflin Makes History With New Contract
The only contract listed where a player earned a higher AAV than Eflin will was that of Charlie Morton, who signed a two-year, $30 million deal and earned an AAV of $15 million.
Eflin will be earning an AAV of $13.3 million.
The veteran right-hander appeared in 20 games for the Phillies in 2022, starting 13 games and posting a 3-5 record with a 4.04 ERA.
The Rays are obviously not a team known for signing large contracts, usually making bargain-type moves in free agency and acquiring their talent via trade.
While this move isn’t exactly an earth-shattering one, it’s still a more significant deal than what the Rays typically offer free agents.
Eflin will join a solid rotation that already features All-Star Shane McClanahan, Tyler Glasnow, and Drew Rasmussen.
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