"Eflin, 32 in April, signed a three-year, $40MM with the Rays prior to the 2023 season. He made 50 starts for the Rays before being traded to the Orioles at the 2024 trade deadline. In that time, he posted a 3.72 ERA and a 3.26 FIP with a 23.5% strikeout rate against a 3.2% walk rate. His 2023 season in particular was very strong, as he finished 6th in AL Cy Young award voting."
"Houser, 33 in February, was acquired by the Rays from the White Sox at this year's trade deadline. He made ten starts with a 4.79 ERA and a 4.38 FIP, though his overall season was much stronger than that. In 125 innings between Chicago and Tampa, Houser posted a 3.31 ERA and a 3.81 FIP across 21 starts this past year despite a 17.8% strikeout rate and 7.3% walk rate."
The Rays are pursuing short-term starting pitching help for their 2026 rotation, focusing on Zach Eflin and Adrian Houser as potential free-agent targets. Eflin posted a 3.72 ERA and 3.26 FIP with the Rays through 50 starts before a trade to the Orioles, and produced a strong 2023 season (3.50 ERA, 3.01 FIP, 26.5% strikeout rate). Injuries and diminished strikeout rates led to a 5.93 ERA across 14 2024 starts. Houser posted a 3.31 ERA and 3.81 FIP in 125 innings in 2024 overall, but a 4.79 ERA in ten Rays starts and a long history as a back-end rotation arm raise concerns. Both pitchers have shown mid-rotation ability at times but carry question marks likely to limit them to short, affordable deals.
Read at MLB Trade Rumors
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