The Philadelphia Phillies have a busy offseason ahead of them. While the starting rotation isn't necessarily at the top of the priority list, they should be shopping for depth. With that in mind, perhaps there's a path that sees them turn to a former friend in right-hander Zack Eflin, who will be looking for a bounce-back in 2026.
The 31-year-old was previously with the Phillies for seven seasons from 2016 to 2022. He was with the Tampa Bay Rays from 2023 until July 2024, when he was traded to the Baltimore Orioles at the deadline.
Eflin did well in nine appearances for the Orioles after the trade. He dealt with low back discomfort this season, which affected his performance and limited him to 14 appearances, his fewest in a non-shortened season since 2017.
Zach Eflin is a viable free agent option for Phillies to consider signing
The Phillies are projected to have an opening in their rotation if free agent Ranger Suárez signs with another club, as expected. Eflin could be an option for them to sign on an affordable deal to provide more depth and competition for the fifth rotation spot.
You can never have too much pitching and Eflin would be good insurance over the long regular season in case of injury to anyone else on the staff.
If the Phillies sign Eflin, he could compete with Taijuan Walker and prospect Andrew Painter in spring training for the last starting spot in their rotation. The Phillies might also need an extra starter to begin the year, with Zack Wheeler's debut date uncertain (he could miss up to two months of the season).
The front office looked like they made the wrong decision not trading for a starting pitcher last season, following the trade deadline, after the news that starter Wheeler was lost to injury for the remainder of the year. Veteran Aaron Nola had a horrible 2025 and struggled with injuries.
Eflin struggled to a 6-5 record, 5.93 ERA and 1.42 WHIP in his 14 starts for Baltimore this season.
However, he's one of the available free agents who could outperform expectations based on his down, injury-filled season and his past success, according to MLB.com's Brent Maguire. Eflin was solid in 2023 and 2024; his 3.54 ERA and 3.37 FIP ranked in the top 20 among qualified starters over that span.
Zach Eflin, Wicked Sweepers. 🤢 pic.twitter.com/PCQru4wPsw
— Rob Friedman (@PitchingNinja) June 5, 2025
In 2023-24, Eflin had a 23.1 percent strikeout rate and excellent command with a 3.5 percent walk rate. Since 2021, he has had a 3.8 percent walk rate. His 4.9 fWAR and 31 starts for the Rays in 2023 were career highs.
If the Phillies sign Eflin, they will be hoping the 10-year veteran can return to the form he exhibited with the Rays and Orioles before his injury-plagued season in 2025. He performed like a capable number three starter and occasionally like a borderline second pitcher in a starting rotation.
Fans shouldn't expect Eflin to consistently outperform their other starters if Philadelphia brings him back this offseason. This position group is one of the Phillies' strengths. However, he can add quality depth that could pay off over the course of a six-month grind of a regular season schedule.