As part of their search for a starting pitcher prior to the trade deadline, the Los Angeles Dodgers acquired Jack Flaherty from the Detroit Tigers in a deal headlined by prospect Thayron Liranzo.
The trade worked out well for the Dodgers as they went on to win the World Series with Flaherty making multiple stellar starts during their playoff run. However, he also had some poor outings as well and was inconsistent during his time in L.A., which could ultimately be the reason the Dodgers opt not to re-sign him.
The Dodgers have been looking at the top of the market for a starting pitcher, including Blake Snell, Corbin Burnes and Max Fried, but if they miss out on those three, they could circle back to Flaherty as a potential option. However, the right-hander is also generating some interest elsewhere.
According to Jon Morosi of MLB Network, the New York Yankees, San Diego Padres and Los Angeles Angels are all teams that could end up being landing spots for Flaherty:
“The Yankees could still be involved on Flaherty as well. The other team, and I cringe a little bit as I say this because I’m sure it’s going to stimulate some debate. Let’s not forget who his manager used to be in St. Louis – Mike Shildt, now with the Padres.
“I’d be a little surprised if he crosses that rubicon in the NL West rivalry, given how intense things got and especially now with Jack Flaherty’s legacy of helping his hometown Dodgers win the World Series. But the admiration Mike Shildt has for Jack Flaherty did not dissipate. As intense as things got in the playoffs, there is still that respect.
“So while the Padres might be secondary to the Dodgers and Yankees as possible Flaherty landing spots, we can’t totally eliminate it. Nor can we eliminate another So Cal team, the Angels, who are known to be involved in the market for starting pitchers as well.”
Flaherty’s market is likely going to wait on the top names to sign as most teams will seemingly view him as a fallback option after the top group of arms are gone, but he should still have a solid group of suitors.
The fit with the Yankees may be tough after they reportedly backed out of a trade for him prior to the trade deadline due to health concerns with his back.
Yankees general manager Brian Cashman downplayed that notion, and Flaherty expressed no concern with his back at the time, but there may be some anger from Flaherty’s side over that report.
The Angels could be a nice fit for Flaherty if he’s unable to stay with the Dodgers because it would allow him to stay in the greater Los Angeles area, where he prefers to be.
Still, Flaherty has made his preference to stay with his hometown Dodgers well known, going as far to say he never wants to leave. That may ultimately come down to what the Dodgers do with the rest of their rotation, but a reunion does make some sense.
He went 6-2 with a 3.58 ERA, 4.16 FIP and 1.28 WHIP in 10 starts for the Dodgers during the regular season.
Yankees interested in Walker Buehler
The Yankees have also reached out to Walker Buehler, and there appears to be some mutual interest between the two sides.
Like Flaherty, Buehler seemingly has a preference to stay in Los Angeles, but he also needs to keep all his options open.
The Dodgers reportedly have kept an open line of communication about a possible return.
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