Atlanta Braves reportedly considering former Philadelphia Phillies pitcher

The Philadelphia Phillies are off to a hot start to the year that has seen their offense become dominant again after a cold and worrying stretch at the start of the season. This pairs well with their starting rotation being defunct and the bullpen starting to find its form.

All of this has allowed them to hold the best record in Major League Baseball.

Their profile suggests this is no coincidence either. The roster is filled with established stars who are hungry for a successful year.

After being out of the division race almost from the start last season, the situation has completely reversed in 2024, with the Phillies holding a five-game lead over the Atlanta Braves who dominated the Eastern Conference. the NL over the past half-decade.

As the Braves look for improvements to their roster, particularly in their starting rotation after losing ace Spencer Strider for the year, they are reportedly turning to one of Philadelphia’s former pitchers.

“Atlanta is closely monitoring Tampa Bay Rays veteran starter Zach Eflin if they decide they need another starter at the trade deadline,” USA TODAY’s Bob Nightengale reports.

The right-hander has been a solid addition for the Tampa Bay Rays thus far after they handed him the largest free agent contract in their franchise’s history last offseason, lasting three years and $40 million.

He led the American League in wins in 2023 with 16 and pitched the most innings of his career with 177 2/3 in 31 starts. His ERA was 3.50 and ERA+ 119, signaling that he could be someone placed at the top of his rotation alongside other elite arms.

It makes sense that Atlanta would look to Zach Eflin as a potential trade candidate.

Although he has a rough season compared to 2023, when he has a 4.29 ERA over 10 starts, he would still give them another starting option and someone who could be used out of the bullpen relievers if necessary.

Of course, if this trade were to happen, it would add to the already complicated relationship with the 30-year-old for Phillies fans.

Eflin was acquired by Philadelphia in December 2014, who shipped beloved shortstop and face of the franchise Jimmy Rollins to the Los Angeles Dodgers.

He never lived up to the hype, finishing his seven seasons with a 4.49 ERA and a 95 ERA+, leading fans to never really embrace him after dealing Rollins.

If he makes his case for the nemesis, it would certainly bring another interesting chapter to this saga.