Former Phillies pitcher is reportedly being eyed by the Atlanta Braves.
The rivals of the Philadelphia Phillies may want one of their former pitchers as a trade deadline addition due to serious worries about their starting pitching.
The Philadelphia Phillies are off to a scorching start to the season, with their offense regaining its dominance following a worrying cold streak in the early part of the campaign. That goes nicely with their bullpen, which is beginning to find their form, and their starting rotation, which has been outstanding.
They currently own the best record in Major League Baseball as a result of all of it.
Their profile also implies that this isn’t a coincidence. There are many well-established players on the roster who are eager to have a great year.
The Phillies have a five-game lead over the Atlanta Braves, who had ruled the NL East for the previous five years, after the Braves were eliminated from the division competition nearly as soon as it began last season.
The Braves are apparently considering one of Philadelphia’s former pitchers as they search for roster additions, specifically in their starting rotation following the season-ending injury to their ace Spencer Strider.
Bob Nightengale of USA TODAY claims that “if they decide they need another starter at the trade deadline, Atlanta is keeping a close eye on Tampa Bay Rays veteran starter Zach Eflin.”
Since the Tampa Bay Rays gave the right-hander the biggest free agency contract in the team’s history last offseason—three years and $40 million—he has been a valuable addition.
With 16 victories, he led the American League in 2023. In addition, he tossed the most innings of his career—177 2/3 across 31 starts. With an ERA of 3.50 and an ERA+ of 119, he may be positioned at the top of the rotation with other quality arms.
It makes sense that Zach Eflin is being considered by Atlanta as a possible trade candidate.
Even if he had a less successful season than in 2023—he has a 4.29 ERA through 10 starts—he would still provide them with another starting option and the ability to employ him out of the bullpen if necessary.
Naturally, if this deal happened, Phillies fans’ already complex relationship with the 30-year-old would get even more problematic.
In December 2014, Philadelphia acquired Eflin, while Jimmy Rollins, the team’s favorite shortstop and face, was traded to the Los Angeles Dodgers.
