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Is Jack Flaherty going back to Detroit? One MLB insider thinks so

A key piece in the Los Angeles Dodgers World Series run last season, starting pitcher Jack Flaherty may be headed back to Detroit in free agency.

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - OCTOBER 25: Jack Flaherty #0 of the Los Angeles Dodgers speaks to media during a post-game press conference after winning Game One of the 2024 World Series against the New York Yankees 6-3 at Dodger Stadium on October 25, 2024 in Los Angeles, California.   Steph Chambers/Getty Images/AFP (Photo by Steph Chambers / GETTY IMAGES NORTH AMERICA / Getty Images via AFP)
STEPH CHAMBERSAFP

Jack Flaherty’s journey through Major League Baseball has been a winding road, marked by peaks of brilliance and valleys of struggle. In 2024, he found himself donning the Detroit Tigers' uniform, where he rekindled his prowess on the mound. Over 106.2 innings, Flaherty carved out a 2.95 ERA, striking out 133 batters and showcasing the talent that once made him a coveted ace.

As the trade deadline loomed, the Los Angeles Dodgers, grappling with injuries to key pitchers, saw in Flaherty a lifeline. They struck a deal with Detroit, sending prospects Thayron Liranzo and Trey Sweeney in exchange for the right-hander.

Flaherty’s transition to the West Coast was met with anticipation, and he delivered with a 6-2 record and a 3.58 ERA over 10 starts, playing a pivotal role in the Dodgers' march to a World Series title.

Yet, baseball’s offseason is a time of reflection and decision. The Dodgers, ever ambitious, secured Blake Snell on a five-year, $182 million contract, adding another Cy Young Award winner to their rotation.

With Shohei Ohtani and Tyler Glasnow expected to return from injuries, the abundance of pitching talent in Los Angeles casts a shadow over Flaherty’s future with the team.

Meanwhile, in Detroit, there’s a yearning to reclaim past glories. The Tigers, having tasted a glimpse of success with Flaherty, might see a reunion as a step toward revitalizing their rotation. Reports suggest that Flaherty is open to a short-term, high-average-annual-value deal, a scenario that could align with Detroit’s aspirations. Bleacher Report’s Joel Reuter thinks this is a plausible landing spot for Flaherty.

The market for Flaherty’s services is not limited to Detroit. Teams like the San Francisco Giants, Toronto Blue Jays, Chicago Cubs, and even the Baltimore Orioles have shown interest.

Each presents a unique opportunity, but the familiarity and unfinished business in Detroit might hold a special allure for the 29-year-old pitcher.

As the offseason unfolds, Flaherty’s decision will be a focal point for many. His performance in 2024 has reestablished him as a formidable presence on the mound, and whichever team he chooses will be banking on his arm to guide them through the trials of the coming season.

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