Zach Eflin Explains How Close He Was To Signing With Red Sox
The one that got away. For those that recall, I ripped Chaim Bloom for missing out on Zach Eflin. I just don’t believe there should ever be a time when the Red Sox are outbid by the Rays on a free agent contract, but that’s just me. The guy that allowed that to happen should be fired and I’m not sure how it’s arguable.
It turns out Eflin was much closer to signing with the Red Sox then everyone even knew. Bloom just missed out and didn’t close the deal. Eflin spoke about just how close he was to signing with Boston.
“It was very close, honestly,” Eflin explained, according to Alex Speier of The Boston Globe. “It’s hard to elaborate, but I was just so grateful to get an offer from both the Rays and the Red Sox. I was really close to coming here, to be honest with you.”
“The city itself, the fan base, it’s like a next-level Philly, which would have been awesome,” Eflin said, per Speier. “But who’s to say I’ll never be here? I was just thankful that they appreciated my value as a person and a player to make me an offer, which was amazing.”
Eflin, 29, has gone 7-1 in 10 starts sporting a career-best 3.30 ERA, striking out 57 hitters in 60 innings pitched. To make matters worse, Nathan Eovaldi, Michael Wacha, and Rich Hill all departed this offseason. Instead, Bloom signed Corey Kluber to fix the rotation who has been a total disaster and has since been moved to the bullpen.
Why should fans continue to be forced to put up with Bloom? That’s the part I just don’t get.
