Dodgers Free Agent Pitcher Expected to Command Multi-Year Contract This Offseason: Report

When the Dodgers traded two prospects for Tigers’ starting pitcher Jack Flaherty, the franchise knew he was a temporary addition. Flaherty, who will turn 29 in October, will be a free agent at the end of the season.

In 2023, Flaherty was a free agent. He signed a one-year, $14 million contract with the Tigers in the offseason. With his performance this season in Detroit and Los Angeles, Flaherty is expected to accumulate a multi-year contract over the upcoming offseason. ESPN’s Jeff Passan said that Flaherty has entered the $25-million-per-year territory for a multi-year contract.

This season, the right-hander has logged a 3.00 ERA. This is the lowest of his career since 2019, when he played for the Cardinals and ranked sixth in strikeouts (231) among National League pitchers.

One concern about Flaherty is his medical history. Shortly before the Tigers traded him, Flaherty missed a start in July due to a lower back injury that required two injections in three weeks. He never went on the injured list. The injury reportedly garnered enough concern to make teams like the Yankees decide against trading for Flaherty at the deadline.

Flaherty’s ERA increased from 2.95 with the Tigers to 3.22 with the Dodgers, a dip in performance that some might attribute to a lingering back injury.

Although his ERA has risen slightly, Flaherty remains undefeated as a Dodger, with a 3-0 record across four starts. He has recorded 29 strikeouts while walking only five batters and hitting one, highlighting Flaherty’s ability to control his pitches.

Additionally, Flaherty boasts a five-pitch repertoire. He relies heavily on his four-seam fastball (43.5 percent of pitches) which averages 93.5 MPH. Flaherty has started to incorporate his slider (30.8 percent) and knuckle curve (20.3 percent) more this season. Although it is rare, he does mix in a changeup (3 percent) and sinker (2.4 percent) occasionally.

Flaherty was viewed as the top pitching trade target at the deadline. Unless he can strike an extension with the Dodgers, he will become one of the top pitching free agents, which means multiple teams are going to court the California native. The Dodgers might consider re-signing Flaherty a priority, but it will come with a large price tag.

Photo Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

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