The Los Angeles Dodgers salvaged boosted trade deadline with the acquisition of Jack Flaherty, landing one of the best players moved this year.
With as much uncertainty as there is in the current Dodgers rotation, Flaherty’s presence is to provide them with a stable, frontend option. The Southern California native attended Harvard-Westlake High School and joins his hometown team that faces plenty of pressure and World Series expectations.
“It’s fun. You want those expectations,” Flaherty said. “You want to be part of a team that has those expectations. That’s what I came up with in St. Louis, of expecting to win, wanting to win, and being a part of that. If they brought me in for that, hopefully I can contribute in as many ways as possible.”
Flaherty was a target for the Dodgers front office in the weeks leading up to the MLB trade deadline. General manager Brandon Gomes was particularly open about the team focusing on adding a starting pitcher who could make a significant impact.
With the Detroit Tigers, Flaherty logged a 2.95 ERA, 0.96 WHIP, 3.12 FIP and .211 batting average allowed. Flaherty’s 32% strikeout rate is the best mark of his career, and so too is 1.60 walks per nine.
Cleaning up some of his walk issues can be attributed to a feel for secondary stuff, leading to an elite 27.5% strikeout-to-walk ratio.
If Flaherty had enough innings to qualify, he would have the third-best expected FIP among all pitchers. Using a strong mix of four-seam fastballs, sliders, knuckle curveballs, while sprinkling in a changeup and sinker, he’s been a force.
Grading out in top categories, Flaherty falls into the 94th percentile in whiff and walk rates.
Having a possible top of the rotation that consists of Tyler Glasnow, Flaherty and pending health, Yoshinobu Yamamoto, puts the Dodgers in the conversation for the best trio in baseball.
Jack Flaherty dispels back injury concern
After the Dodgers traded for Flaherty, it was reported the New York Yankees went back on a verbal agreement because of concerns with a back injury he dealt with earlier this year.
Flaherty said he feels plenty healthy, and that’s a sentiment Dodgers manager Dave Roberts relayed.
Yankees general manager Brian Cashman said the team simply did not line up on a Flaherty trade with the Tigers, further dispelling the notion there’s a health concern.
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