Former Orioles starter Jack Flaherty lands team friendly deal with AL Central foe

There have been plenty of rumors about former Orioles starter Jack Flaherty this offseason. After pitching brilliantly during the first half of the season in Detroit, Flaherty was flipped to the Dodgers at the trade deadline where he went on to help the team win a World Series championship.

Flaherty would've been a good fit in Baltimore this winter, as the O's came into the winter desperately in need of consistent pitching. It wasn't meant to be, however, and in no small part thanks to his dismal performance here just two years ago. Orioles fans didn't get to watch the good version of Flaherty. We saw him pitch to a 6.75 ERA in 9 outings and subsequently leave just a few short months later.

Well, Flaherty has found a new home for 2025, and it's a surprise to see him sign such a team friendly deal. He'll head back to Detroit after coming to terms on a two-year deal with the Tigers. He'll earn $25 million in year one and the deal has a player opt-out after the first year. He'll be able to opt in to the second year at $10 million, though the deal does have an escalator where if he makes at least 15 starts in 2025, the option increases to $20 million.

Jack Flaherty has finally landed a contract for 2025, and it's more team friendly than you'd expect

In total, Flaherty pitched to a 3.17 ERA with an impressive 29.9% strikeout rate and a 3.48 FIP in 162 innings. The strikeout rate was an exact match with his career year back in 2019, when he posted a sterling 2.75 ERA in 196.1 innings. He'd had plenty of challenges in between those two years, which is likely a big part of why he wasn't able to land a longer term deal this winter.

Coming into the offseason, MLB Trade Rumors had Flaherty projected to get a 5-year deal worth $115 million. It seemed a fair estimate at the time, as the righty had already signed a prove-it deal for 2024 and come through in a big way. Many expected that Flaherty's performance had earned him a long-term deal, especially given that he's entering his age 29 season and is still young.

This new contract is a great risk to take for the Tigers, who are coming off a dramatic finish and surprise playoff appearance in 2024. They need innings, and someone with upside to pair with superstar lefty Tarik Skubal. Flaherty offers a decent floor with a high enough ceiling that this seems like a no-brainer deal for the Tigers, especially at the cost. The fact that they were able to secure a couple prospects for Flaherty at the deadline and get him back this winter is icing on the cake.