The Tampa Bay Rays wasted no time spending their BAMTech money, signing free-agent pitcher Zach Eflin to a $40 million, three-year contract:

The deal, which is pending a physical, is the largest free-agent contract in Rays history, topping the five-year, $35 million contract that pitcher Wilson Alvarez received before the team’s inaugural 1998 season.

Before reaching agreement with Eflin, the Rays were the last remaining team in the majors to never have committed more than $35 million to a free agent, according to ESPN Stats & Information research. There now are two teams left — the Oakland Athletics and Pittsburgh Pirates — that have never spent $40 million on a free agent.

ESPN.com

At seasonal age 29 for the 2023 season, Eflin is still in his prime. He struck out batters at a low rate his first two seasons in the majors, then saw that rate rise to a respectable 8.2 per 9 IP. He walks very few batters, and the changes to the ball in 2022 helped reduce his home runs allowed.

The article puts him in the Rays rotation, but I’m not convinced of that. He pitched well in relief in 2022, and the Rays love their bullpen. Tampa Bay might not use him as an opener, but he could be limited to long-relief starts, or middle inning, high leverage situation. I expect the Rays to be creative with Eflin’s usage.