This AL team is considering Flaherty

MLB.com is keeping track of the latest news and rumors surrounding Jack Flaherty.

Dec. 16: Orioles reportedly considering Flaherty as 'fallback option'
The Orioles view Flaherty as a “fallback option” if they are unable to bring back Corbin Burnes, sources told The Athletic’s Ken Rosenthal (subscription required).

Flaherty enjoyed a successful few months with Detroit, logging a 2.95 ERA with 133 strikeouts over 106 2/3 before he was traded to the Dodgers and eventually won a World Series ring.

The 29-year-old right-hander was an Oriole for a short while in 2023 after he was acquired from the Cardinals at the Trade Deadline. But his stint in Baltimore was a forgettable one. It featured 26 earned runs allowed over 34 2/3 frames and an .889 opponents’ OPS. However, Flaherty’s lack of success may have been due to fatigue; he had already thrown 109 2/3 innings that year for St. Louis after amassing 154 2/3 innings from 2020-22. Flaherty tossed 184 innings this past season (playoffs included), so he shouldn’t have many workload concerns in 2025.

Unlike Burnes and a couple of other notable names on the free-agent pitching market, Flaherty is not tied to a qualifying offer. That means if a team other than the Dodgers signs him, it won’t have to forfeit a Draft pick as a result. That should make him even more appealing to clubs looking to strengthen their rotation.

Nov. 27: With Snell in LA, is Flaherty still in Dodgers' plans?
Flaherty was born and raised in Southern California. He grew up a Dodgers fan. He said during the team's 2024 World Series championship parade that he never wants to leave Los Angeles.

But after the Dodgers agreed to a five-year deal with Blake Snell on Tuesday night, is re-signing Flaherty no longer an option for the reigning champs? MLB Network insider Jon Paul Morosi said Wednesday that the Snell move "probably" means Flaherty "won't be back" with the club in 2025.

As for where Flaherty could end up, MLB.com's Mark Feinsand wrote that he could be an option for the Orioles. The Yankees were interested in acquiring Flaherty at the 2024 Trade Deadline but couldn't agree to a deal with the Tigers before Detroit struck a deal with the Dodgers. The Bronx Bombers were recently mentioned by Morosi as a possible landing spot for Flaherty, along with the Padres, Dodgers and Angels. However, that report came before the Dodgers' addition of Snell and before the Angels came to terms with Yusei Kikuchi, per source.

Nov. 12: Two teams that make sense for Flaherty
The Nationals and Yankees are among the teams that are fits for Flaherty in free agency, ESPN's Jeff Passan reports in his 2024-25 offseason preview (subscription required).

Passan writes that Washington makes sense if the club decides to prioritize an anchor for its starting rotation, while the Yankees, who almost traded for Flaherty during the 2024 season, "could be in again" now.

Passan believes Flaherty has a chance to get a $100-plus million deal in free agency.

Nov. 1: Flaherty: 'I never want to leave' Los Angeles
The 2024 World Series was a dream come true for Flaherty, who won a championship with the team he rooted for while growing up near Los Angeles. Now a free agent, Flaherty will be able to choose where he wants to continue his career. Maybe it will continue with him staying close to home.

"I love this city. I never want to leave," Flaherty said during the Dodgers' championship parade on Friday.

Acquired at the Trade Deadline after posting a 2.95 ERA over 106 2/3 innings with the Tigers, Flaherty pitched to a 3.58 ERA with 61 strikeouts in 55 2/3 frames during the regular season for the Dodgers. His postseason was a roller coaster -- two stellar starts mixed in with three others in which he allowed at least four earned runs -- but the 29-year-old will be one of the most sought-after starters on the open market this winter.

The Dodgers are seen as a good fit for Flaherty. We'll see if he remains with his hometown team.

Oct. 31: Flaherty’s turnaround could land him big payday in free agency
Flaherty reached free agency for the first time in his career last offseason on the heels of a lackluster walk year that saw him post a 4.99 ERA with a 1.58 WHIP over 144 1/3 innings between the Cardinals and Orioles. He ultimately settled for a one-year, $14 million deal with the Tigers.

One year later, things couldn’t be more different. Flaherty put together an outstanding rebound campaign in 2024, finishing the regular season with a 3.17 ERA and a 5.11 K/BB ratio (194 strikeouts, 38 walks) over 162 innings for the Tigers and Dodgers, who acquired him at the Trade Deadline.

Flaherty went on to earn a World Series ring with Los Angeles, and though he had some hiccups in the playoffs en route to a 7.36 ERA over five starts, he could be poised to cash in on the open market this offseason.

The 29-year-old righty is one of the top arms in this year's free-agent class, with MLB.com’s Mark Feinsand ranking him ninth overall -- fourth among starting pitchers -- on his list of the top free agents.