Rays Pursue Zach Eflin and Adrian Houser to Bolster Rotation

The Tampa Bay Rays are once again trying to thread the needle between contention and constraint. This time, they’ve got their sights set on shoring up the 2026 starting rotation.

With limited payroll flexibility, Tampa Bay’s front office leans hard on creative, short-term pitching solutions. They’re weighing reunions with familiar arms like Zach Eflin and Adrian Houser, and they’re also poking around for trade opportunities that might bring in younger, cost-controlled starters who could anchor the staff for years.

The Rays’ Rotation Puzzle for 2026

The Rays have never needed a big-market budget to build a competitive roster. Their approach to the 2026 rotation sticks to that script.

They’re targeting short-term, affordable arms who can stabilize the middle of the rotation. Meanwhile, the organization keeps developing its next wave of pitchers from within.

Two names have risen to the forefront here: Zach Eflin and Adrian Houser. Both have pitched for the Rays before, both offer mid-rotation upside, and both could be available on deals that won’t break Tampa Bay’s carefully managed budget.

Zach Eflin: A Familiar Face with Upside and Risk

Eflin’s history with the Rays is a mix of highs, lows, and what-ifs. The right-hander, who just turned 32 in April, originally signed with Tampa Bay on a three-year, $40 million deal before the 2023 season—a rare, bold move for this franchise.

On the field, Eflin mostly justified that investment. Over 50 starts with Tampa Bay, he posted a 3.72 ERA and a 3.26 FIP, showing he could miss bats and limit hard contact.

His 2023 campaign really stood out, and he even finished sixth in AL Cy Young voting. He looked like a legit mid-rotation force.

But things changed in 2024. Traded to the Orioles midseason, Eflin dealt with injuries and inconsistency, ending up with a rough 5.93 ERA across 14 starts in Baltimore.

For front offices, that kind of rollercoaster creates both risk and opportunity. If Eflin’s 2024 struggles drive down his price, the Rays might see a short-term reunion as a classic buy-low opportunity—especially since they know his medicals and mechanics inside out.

Adrian Houser: Back-End Profile, Rays-Style Project

Adrian Houser brings a different equation. He turns 33 in February and doesn’t have Eflin’s ceiling, but he’s shown competence and durability—traits that matter when filling out a rotation.

Houser arrived in Tampa Bay from the White Sox at the 2024 trade deadline. He made ten starts for the Rays, putting up a 4.79 ERA.

That small sample with Tampa Bay doesn’t tell the whole story. Across 21 total starts in 2024, Houser posted a stronger 3.31 ERA, hinting he might be more than just a stopgap if used right.

Throughout his career, Houser has been a back-end starter—someone you slot into the fourth or fifth spot and hope for steady innings. For the Rays, though, that kind of arm is often a blank canvas.

With their knack for pitch design, usage tweaks, and defensive optimization, Houser could be another under-the-radar project who outperforms expectations on a short-term deal.

Payroll Constraints Driving Short-Term Strategy

You can’t talk about the Rays’ pitching plans without mentioning the finances. Tampa Bay is working with an estimated $85 million budget for 2025, which already ranks near the league’s bottom.

The situation gets trickier with Wander Franco’s $15.5 million salary, currently sitting on the restricted list.

If the Rays plan as if Franco’s salary is off the books, that budget could drop closer to $78 million. In reality, the front office has to squeeze value out of every dollar, especially on pitching.

Short-Term Deals, Long-Term Vision

Within those limits, arms like Eflin and Houser look especially appealing. They’re the sort of short-term, mid-cost solutions that let the Rays stay competitive without making risky long-term commitments.

Still, patchwork alone rarely wins in October. To really fortify the rotation, Tampa Bay might need to get creative on the trade market.

Potential Trades: Turning Salary into Pitching Depth

The Rays could expand their options by moving a pricier, established player to free up payroll and bring in younger, cost-controlled talent.

Brandon Lowe stands out as a logical trade chip. When healthy, Lowe is a real power threat from the left side, but his salary and injury history could push the Rays to at least see what’s out there.

Speculative Targets: Joe Ryan, Edward Cabrera, MacKenzie Gore

Some speculative trade targets fit the Rays’ profile:

None of these names are guaranteed to be available, and right now, it’s mostly just speculation. But in terms of budget and upside, each fits the Rays’ template: talented, pre-arbitration or early-arbitration arms whose best years might still be ahead.

Balancing the Present and Future on the Mound

The Rays are already thinking about their rotation for 2026. It’s a familiar juggling act for them.

They might bring back reliable names like Zach Eflin or Adrian Houser. At the same time, they’re tempted to chase bigger trades—maybe for Joe Ryan, Edward Cabrera, or MacKenzie Gore.

That’s classic Tampa Bay. They never get to just outspend anyone, so they have to outsmart the field instead. Honestly, it’s kind of impressive how they keep turning a tight budget into an advantage on the mound.

 
Here is the source article for this story: Rays Interested In Zach Eflin, Adrian Houser