*Photo from MASN*
Another veteran is going to the motor city. RHP Jack Flaherty and the Detroit Tigers have agreed to a one year, $14 million contract, according to Jeff Passan of ESPN. The Tigers have confirmed the signing.
If Flaherty makes 30 starts for the Tigers, he'll get a $1 million bonus to max the contract out at $15 million in 2024. Flaherty finished 4th in voting for the NL Cy Young in 2019 and had a strong 2021 season before having rocky seasons in both 2022 and 2023. The Tigers hope they can help Flaherty rediscover his form from earlier in his career.
Last season, Flaherty suited up for the St. Louis Cardinals and Baltimore Orioles. Combined with both teams, he posted a 4.99 ERA, 4.36 FIP, and 1.580 WHIP, throwing 144 1/3 innings over 27 starts and two relief appearances. He allowed one run in two innings in the playoffs for the Orioles.
After his breakout 2019 season, Flaherty started on opening day for the Cardinals in both 2020 and 2021, posting a 3.22 ERA and 1.060 WHIP in 2021 while dealing with an oblique strain. In 2022, he could only make 9 starts due to a shoulder injury. Mostly healthy in 2023, he largely struggled.
Flaherty has played for only the Cardinals and Orioles across 7 years in the majors, debuting in 2017. He has a 3.75 ERA, 1.210 WHIP, and 4.01 FIP to his name, averaging 3.4 walks per 9 innings and 10.1 strikeouts per 9 over 125 starts, 6 relief appearances, and 667 2/3 innings. Flaherty also has a 3.60 ERA and 1.360 WHIP in 25 innings over 5 appearances in the playoffs, 4 of which have been starts.
The Tigers rotation had plenty of struggles last season, with the hope being that Flaherty can help stabilize that group. Tigers starting pitchers ranked 21st in the league in strikeouts, 16th in ERA, and 18th in wins in 2023.
Flaherty is the second starting pitching signing this offseason, joining Kenta Maeda. The Tigers rotation has Flaherty, Maeda, and Casey Mize locked in, with Matt Manning, Tarik Skubal, Joey Wentz, and Reese Olson in the running for spots.
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