2 teams that make sense for Flaherty

November 12th, 2024

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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, grouping him in a tier with Max Fried and Blake Snell, but below Corbin Burnes and Roki Sasaki.

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 pitchers behind Corbin Burnes, Blake Snell and Max Fried -- on his list of the top free agents.