The Los Angeles Dodgers had themselves a busy trade deadline, with five new players joining the organization and perhaps none was more important than the addition of Jack Flaherty to the starting rotation.
A Southern California native, Flaherty attended Harvard-Westlake High School and was teammates with fellow future Major Leaguers Max Fried and Lucas Giolito to form an impressive trio in the rotation.
The reality that Flaherty now has the opportunity to play for his hometown team is one that is slowly dawned on him and was something that his mother was equally as exited about as she took to social media with an old photo she uncovered of him in a Dodgers uniform as a young boy.
“It’s one of those things that’s slowly starting to sink in. It didn’t really sink in until I got on the phone with my mom yesterday, and she brought up some things of just how cool it is and how special it is,” Flaherty said.
“I think everybody deep down wants to play for their hometown team. Getting the opportunity to is special. And just being part of this organization, how good this team is and how good they’ve been for years, is special.”
Flaherty’s name circulating in the rumor mill is something he experienced in the past as he was traded at the deadline last season. He was aware of the Dodgers’ reported interest and knew they could be a possible destination.
“You hear everything that’s going on. You can’t avoid it, as much as you want to. I tried to avoid it a little more last year when things were going on. You knew it was a possibility, but you never know until it’s done,” Flaherty said.
The Detroit Tigers being somewhat out of contention for a playoff spot and Flaherty due to become a free agent after the 2024 season increased the likelihood of being moved at the trade deadline.
The Tigers also scratched Flaherty from his scheduled start on Monday in anticipation of a deal.
“A lot of sitting and waiting,” he said of the time this week. “I was supposed to pitch on Monday but they scratched it and were like, ‘You’re going to pitch in a couple days and we’ll see what happens.’ You just kind of sit around and wait. Any conversations with people, everybody wants to know something.
“Quick phone call from my agent, you hear the news and shake hands. Our manager stuck around, so we were hanging out in our locker room. Shook hands with him, some hugs with people, and just move on to figure out what’s next.”
When is Jack Flaherty’s Dodgers debut?
Manager Dave Roberts said Flaherty is scheduled to make his Dodgers debut with a start on Saturday against the Oakland Athletics.
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