The Detroit Tigers may trade Jack Flaherty before this season’s deadline. Sitting under .500, the Tigers don’t have World Series aspirations this season. After signing Flaherty to a one-year $14 million deal in the offseason, the team could look to flip him. As an expiring contract, the Tigers aren’t planning for Flaherty to be part of their future, so moving him for assets could be appealing.
Flaherty spent the first part of his career with the St. Louis Cardinals, highlighted by his 2019 season where he finished fourth in Cy-Young voting. Unfortunately for Flaherty injuries have played a part in derailing his career from the ace trajectory he appeared to be on. He seems healthy now and making the most of a fresh start in Detroit. Flaherty is enjoying some of the best baseball of his career right now. With a 3.22 ERA and a 0.963 WHIP, Flaherty should bring back a decent return.
What Return Can Be Expected
While it’s difficult to determine an exact return without a specific team, a general idea can be estimated. Flaherty is having a great season, and as a pitcher, should be on the radar of every contending team. Teams can never have enough pitching.
It would not be surprising if Flaherty brings back a Top 100 prospect in this deal. A bidding war could make the package even bigger. If the market is dryer than expected, the return should still net a team’s top 5 prospect – assuming he remains at this level.
In terms of what teams may be interested in the 28-year-old, a few stick out. The St. Louis Cardinals remain in the thick of the playoff hunt, and due to familiarity and a huge need for pitching, could opt for a reunion. The Baltimore Orioles traded for him last year and again will look to bolster their roster near the deadline. Both the Los Angeles Dodgers and San Diego Padres may be in the market for a starting pitcher.
As the deadline approaches Flaherty will be someone that contenders certainly keep an eye on. If he maintains this pace, he’ll net a good return if the Detroit Tigers do indeed trade Jack Flaherty.
