Veteran starting pitcher Zach Eflin has been picked up by the Tampa Bay Rays. The right-hander will shift over to the American League East and join a young and talented Rays pitching core. Eflin and the Rays have agreed to a three-year, $40 million deal, making it the largest free-agent deal in Tampa Bay history.MLB insider Jeff Passan reported on the news in a recent tweet. The Rays had a disappointing finish to the 2022 season, missing out on the playoffs. The club finished third in the AL East with a 86-76 record. The Rays are slowly building a roster capable of competing with the New York Yankees and Toronto Blue Jays for a playoff spot next season.Jeff Passan@JeffPassanRight-hander Zach Eflin and the Tampa Bay Rays are in agreement on a three-year contract, pending physical, sources familiar with the deal tell ESPN.4614550Right-hander Zach Eflin and the Tampa Bay Rays are in agreement on a three-year contract, pending physical, sources familiar with the deal tell ESPN.MLB fans view this as an exciting move for a young Rays team. Tampa Bay has a history of developing pitchers. The organization can elevate Zach Eflin from a good pitcher to a great pitcher.braves guy@McentyreConner@JeffPassan wouldnt be surprised if they make him a cy young candidate4@JeffPassan wouldnt be surprised if they make him a cy young candidateChris Jean@ChrisJean312@young_maxey @BOSSportsGordo @JeffPassan Why lol? The Rays turn pretty much every pitcher into a stud.@young_maxey @BOSSportsGordo @JeffPassan Why lol? The Rays turn pretty much every pitcher into a stud.Phillies Enjoyer ❤️⚾️💙@PhilliesEnjoyer@JeffPassan Good luck to Zach, doesnt surprise me though tbh. With him declining the 15 million dollar option, I assumed he wanted a longer deal. Hes gonna pitch to a triple crown this year though I guarantee you.22@JeffPassan Good luck to Zach, doesnt surprise me though tbh. With him declining the 15 million dollar option, I assumed he wanted a longer deal. Hes gonna pitch to a triple crown this year though I guarantee you.Dave@LonzoLobs@JeffPassan Mid righty pitcher, going to be elite in TB suddenly712@JeffPassan Mid righty pitcher, going to be elite in TB suddenlySauceBawse@DWaibs@JeffPassan Good for Zach. Phils replacing him with Bassitt21@JeffPassan Good for Zach. Phils replacing him with BassittRays fans are ecstatic about the team adding an experienced pitcher to the roster. He will provide depth, experience and versatility to an already talented group.Shane McClanahan, the 2022 All-Star, will lead the pitching staff. The 25-year-old put up exceptional numbers in his sophomore season. He finished the year with a 12-8 record and a 2.54 ERA. Drew Rasmussen and Tyler Glasnow have developed into stars and still have room for growth.Dillon@dwood_is_good@JeffPassan Kevin Cash watching Eflin pitch out of the pen in the World Series994@JeffPassan Kevin Cash watching Eflin pitch out of the pen in the World Series https://t.co/QZpY3oyGZnFire Leftwich@boltsin6@JeffPassan WS CHAMPS LETS GOOOOOO4@JeffPassan WS CHAMPS LETS GOOOOOOZach Eflin has played his entire MLB career with the Philadelphia Phillies. He was originally drafted by the San Diego Padres in 2012 and was later traded to the Phillies in 2014.Zach Eflin was part of the Philadelphia Phillies team that won the National LeagueZach Eflin delivers a pitch against the Houston Astros in Game Five of the 2022 World Series at Citizens Bank ParkAfter a season where he helped the Phillies to the World Series, Eflin rejected a $15 million mutual option with the club. There was speculation that he was looking for a longer-term contract.Shampoo Papi 🐝@The_Han_Br0lo@JeffPassan I only time travel for baseball771@JeffPassan I only time travel for baseball https://t.co/gfqCn73Rs8Zach Eflin is a local kid who grew up in Orlando. He will return home and will look to make an immediate impact.Over his seven-year career, Eflin has a 36-45 win-loss record and a lifetime ERA of 4.49.AJ♠️@TropTop24@JeffPassan rays: we need left-handed batsalso rays: adds a right handed arm to an already loaded starting pitching staff17@JeffPassan rays: we need left-handed batsalso rays: adds a right handed arm to an already loaded starting pitching staffTampa Bay is filled with exciting, young players. The addition of a few experienced players could be exactly what this team needs to take them over the finish line.Expect the AL East to be extremely competitive next season. The Rays, led by pitching, are building a powerhouse capable of competing with any team in the league.