The Philadelphia Phillies are off to a blazing start this year, with their offense bouncing back after a sluggish beginning and their starting rotation delivering stellar performances. The bullpen is also finding its rhythm, contributing to the Phillies holding the best record in Major League Baseball.
This strong performance doesn’t appear to be a fluke. The Phillies’ roster is packed with established stars eager for a successful season. Unlike last year, when they quickly fell out of the division race, the 2024 season sees the Phillies leading the NL East by five games over the Atlanta Braves, who have dominated the division for the past five years.
The Braves, seeking to bolster their roster, particularly their starting rotation after losing ace Spencer Strider for the year, are reportedly interested in a former Phillies pitcher. Bob Nightengale of USA TODAY reports that “Atlanta is keeping a close eye on Tampa Bay Rays veteran starter Zach Eflin if they decide they need another starter at the trade deadline.”
Zach Eflin has been a solid performer for the Rays after signing the largest free-agent contract in the franchise’s history last offseason, a three-year, $40 million deal. In 2023, Eflin led the American League with 16 wins and pitched a career-high 177 2/3 innings over 31 starts, boasting a 3.50 ERA and a 119 ERA+.
Given his track record, it’s understandable why the Braves are considering Eflin as a potential trade target. Although his 2024 season has been less impressive, with a 4.29 ERA over 10 starts, he would still offer the Braves a reliable starting option and could even be utilized out of the bullpen if necessary.
For Phillies fans, a potential trade of Eflin to their rival Braves would add another layer to their complex relationship with the pitcher. Acquired by Philadelphia in December 2014 in a trade that sent beloved shortstop Jimmy Rollins to the Los Angeles Dodgers, Eflin never fully met expectations, finishing his seven seasons with a 4.49 ERA and a 95 ERA+. This history has left some fans ambivalent about him, and seeing him pitch for the archrival Braves would undoubtedly add an intriguing chapter to his story.
