ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. — The Rays made their first big move of the offseason, agreeing to a three-year, $40 million contract with starting pitcher Zach Eflin.
The deal, pending a physical, is the largest the Rays ever have given to a free-agent player.
The Rays went into the offseason seeking to bolster their offense but opted to first improve their rotation.
Eflin, a 28-year-old right-hander from Orlando, had a 36-45 record and 4.49 earned-run average over parts of seven seasons with the Phillies.
He went 3-5 with a 4.04 ERA in 20 games this past season while splitting time between the rotation and bullpen for the National League champions. He made 10 relief appearances in the postseason, posting a 3.38 ERA.
Eflin will join a rotation that includes Tyler Glasnow, Shane McClanahan, Jeffrey Springs and Drew Rasmussen.
