Reese agrees to three seasons with Zac Evelyn

The Rays made their first notable promotional move into the free agent market, landing a three-year, $40 million deal with the right winger. Zack EvelynMark Vinsand told MLB.com, a source. The team did not confirm the step, which is subject to the results of the medical examinations.

It is the largest free agent contract the Rays have ever been awarded, surpassing a five-year, $35 million contract signed by Wilson Alvarez in 1997.

Evelyn started most of his MLB career, starting in 115 games over seven seasons. He posted a 4.37 ERA for the Phillies in 13 outings, but after missing nearly three months due to a right knee injury, Evelyn returned in September as a member of the Philadelphia bullpen and posted a 2.45 ERA with 21 strikeouts and two runs in 18.1 innings between the regular season shutouts and the playoffs. .

Acquired by the Padres in the first round of the 2021 draft, Evelyn will turn 29 in April. He made his Philadelphia debut in 2016 after being acquired from the Dodgers in 2014 during a trade that sent Jimmy Rollins to the West Coast.

His best season, in EFE+ terms, was 2019, when he posted an EFE+ of 108 in 163.1 innings pitched in 32 appearances (28 starts).