Padres linked to promising Tigers hurler ahead of trade deadline

The San Diego Padres are active in search of upgrades for their roster this year at the trade deadline. The team already acquired right-hander Jason Adam from the Tampa Bay Rays.

However, they don't appear to be done just yet, and they are reportedly in the market for starting pitching. Their rotation already includes Dylan Cease, but they could use a little extra help with Joe Musgrove and Yu Darvish both out.

Jon Morosi of MLB Network noted that a key hurler with the Detroit Tigers is available and linked him to the Padres.

"Of note: Jack Flaherty and Mike Shildt had a good relationship when Flaherty was a Cardinal," Morosi tweeted on Tuesday. "Shildt's Padres are looking to add a starter. Flaherty is available."

Flaherty made his Major League debut with the St. Louis Cardinals in 2017 and quickly became a frontline starter. Shildt managed St. Louis from 2018-21 and got a chance to work closely with the right-hander.

With Detroit, the 28-year-old is 7-5 in his 18 starts with a 2.95 ERA over 106.2 innings of work. He also has punched out 133 batters and posted a 0.96 WHIP.

Injuries derailed him towards the end of his time with St. Louis, and Flaherty was ultimately traded to the Baltimore Orioles last year at the deadline as part of the Cardinals' fire sale.

His success this season is reminiscent of his second-half surge in the 2019 season with the Cardinals. He finished that season with a 2.75 ERA and established himself as St. Louis' best starter and he even won the clinching Game 5 of the NLDS against the Atlanta Braves.

A reunion with Shildt is certainly possible, and it will be interesting to see if the Padres are able to strike a deal with the Tigers ahead of Tuesday's 6 p.m. Eastern Time deadline.

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