TL;DR - Scouting Report
Jack Flaherty, a standout in his Dodgers tenure, considers a high-value short-term deal. Will the Dodgers reunite with the hometown ace to defend their title in 2025?
Start the Rally: Tweet This Now!Jack Flaherty is reportedly open to a high-value short-term deal, sparking speculation about a potential return to bolster the Dodgers’ already-stacked rotation as they prepare to defend their World Series title in 2025.
Jack Flaherty’s Free Agency Opens Doors for Dodgers
The former Dodger and current free agent pitcher, Flaherty is reportedly open to considering a short-term deal with a high-average annual value, according to The Athletic’s Ken Rosenthal via league sources.
Flaherty, 29, hit the free agency market following three successful months with the Dodgers, after he was acquired from the Tigers for prospects Trey Sweeney and Thayron Liranzo.
His tenure with Detroit was a short one. He signed a one-year, $14 million deal on December 14, 2023. This followed seven seasons in St. Louis with the Cardinals before a midseason trade sent him to the Orioles.
A native of Burbank and Harvard-Westlake High School in Los Angeles, Flaherty went 6-2 for the Dodgers in 10 starts, posting a 3.58 ERA, 4.16 FIP and 1.283 WHIP in 55 1/3 innings pitched. He struggled in the playoffs to the tune of a 7.36 ERA in five starts.
Flaherty’s Time in Dodger Blue
If his time is up with the Dodgers, he will be best known for setting the pace in Game 1 of both the NLCS against the Mets, and the World Series against the Yankees.
Unfortunately, his potentially-final appearance in Dodger Blue is a forgettable one, where he was shelled for four runs and four hits on two home runs in 1 1/3 innings pitched, facing only nine batters.
A Look at the Dodgers’ Current Rotation for 2025
Newly-acquired Dodgers ace Blake Snell opted out of a two-year, $62 million contract with the Giants following a stellar 2024 season. He then signed with the Dodgers for five-years, $182 million on November 26, 2024.
Other employing this tactic included Matt Chapman, Cody Bellinger and Jordan Montgomery, who each struggled last season and stood on their new deals.
The Dodgers should know about whether Roki Sasaki is signing with them no later than January 23. Should he decide to sign with the Padres or Yankees, it could open the door for the Dodgers to try and bring Flaherty back to his hometown team for a title defense.
Short-term Deal Trend Among Free Agents
Other players possibly entertaining a short-term deal with an opt-out clause include outfielder Anthony Santander, third baseman Alex Bregman and right-handed pitcher Nick Pivetta.
The Dodgers’ pitching rotation currently features Snell, Yoshinobu Yamamoto, Tyler Glasnow, Tony Gonsolin and Bobby Miller, with Shohei Ohtani expected to join sometime shortly after May.
Your Turn: Why do you think the Dodgers should bring back Jack Flaherty, Dodger fans? Tell us below in the comments!
