The Los Angeles Dodgers’ acquisition of Jack Flaherty was their most important and most cost-effective move at the trade deadline on Tuesday.
Not only was starting pitching arguably the team’s biggest need heading into the July 30 deadline, but it was an extremely competitive and expensive market due to high demand and low supply.
The Dodgers ultimately were unable to swing a trade for their two top targets as both Garrett Crochet Tarik Skubal remained with their teams past the deadline. Instead the team pivoted to Flaherty, who has been a great pitcher in his own right this season with a 2.95 ERA, 0.96 WHIP and 3.10 FIP in 106.2 innings.
In exchange the Dodgers traded prospects Thayron Liranzo and Trey Sweeney to the Detroit Tigers. Flaherty being a rental certainly reduced the price somewhat, but it is still remarkably in the Dodgers’ favor considering the right-hander was the best starter moved at the deadline.
It is especially impressive considering the inflated price tag starting pitchers carried this season. One explanation, however, suggested Flaherty’s trade value was down a bit because of a perceived back injury. The New York Yankees reportedly had a trade in place before reviewing Flaherty’s medical report and backing out.
However, the Tigers refuted those concerns and insisted the new Dodgers starter is in good health, according to Ken Rosenthal of the Athletic:
“I can’t comment on medical stuff with trades,” Tigers president of baseball operations Scott Harris told reporters in Detroit. “You would have to ask the other teams. Jack is healthy. If we didn’t trade him, he was going to start for us on Thursday.”
Remaining healthy has not been a huge issue for Flaherty this season as he has only missed three starts. He was held out of his most recent outing in preparation for a potential trade deadline deal, while the other two were due to the lower back pain on June 10 and July 2, respectively.
That still is somewhat notable considering Flaherty struggled to stay healthy in 2021 and 2022. But it is also worth noting that he did pitch well in each start after returning, with five scoreless innings on June 15, and six innings of one-run ball on July 11.
Jack Flaherty’s 2024 resurgence
A career-high strikeout rate and improved command of the strike zone have been key to Flaherty’s success this season after a subpar 2023. Flaherty’s 32% strikeout rate would be the best of his career if he continues on the current pace and is a significant improvement over his previous two seasons.
Flaherty is also excelling at limiting walks with just 19 on the season so far, a year after he issued 66 free passes in 144.1 innings pitched.
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