Former LA Dodgers star Jack Flaherty returns to Detroit Tigers following 2-year $35 million deal
Jack Flaherty has agreed to return to the Detroit Tigers on a $35 million deal after he was traded in the middles of the season last year.
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Jack Flaherty (Image via X)
Jack Flaherty is going back to Detroit. The 2024 World Series winner has decided to re-join the Tigers on a two-year $35 million deal after he was traded in the middle of the season by them to the Los Angeles Dodgers.
In his 18 starts for the Tigers last season, Flaherty went 7-5 while pitching beside Tarik Skubal, the pitcher who later went on to win the American Cy Young Award. Despite pitching with a 2.95 ERA, the Tigers would trade Flaherty as they faced the threat of losing him for free.
They would receive two prospects in Trey Sweeney and Thayron Liranzo. While Sweeney was later called up in the middle of August and made a huge impact on the team, Liranzo heated up the minor leagues and broke into the MLB Pipeline’s Top 100 list.
As for Flaherty, he would be instrumental in the Los Angeles Dodgers‘ World Series triumph. He would throw seven shutout innings against the New York Mets in the NLCS and had two starts against the New York Yankees in the World Series.
The pitcher is now heading back to the Detroit Tigers. As per reports, his 2-year $35 million deal does have the opt-out clause after the first season. He will earn $25 million in the 2025 season and $10 million in the 2026 season. The number will increase to $20 million in 2026 if he makes 15 starts for the team.
Jack Flaherty's deal will pay him $25 million this year, after which he can opt out. The guaranteed salary in 2026 is $10 million, and it can get as high as $20 million if he starts 15 games this season. Flaherty found a lot of success with the Tigers last year and now he's back.
— Jeff Passan (@JeffPassan) February 3, 2025
Jack Flaherty and Tarik Skubal react to his return to Tigers
On Sunday, Jack Flaherty became the latest big name free agent to pen down a contract and join a team. After his deal, he would take to his social media account to share his excitement.
Taking to his X account, Flaherty would share a GIF of Tarik Skubal celebrating on the pitch. He thus expressed his excitement to being teammates with him again.
— Jack Flaherty (@jflare_) February 3, 2025
Skubal would later join in on the fun and react to this news as well. He would repost the tweet of Flaherty and used a single “salute” emoji.
— Tarik Skubal (@TarikSkubal) February 3, 2025
Recently, Skubal commented on the possible reunion with him at the 100th Annual New York Baseball Writer’s Dinner. While picking up his AL Cy Young Award trophy, Skubal joined the Foul Territory podcast and claimed that he “loves” Flaherty and wanted him back on the team.
I love Jack. He is a hell of a talent. If there’s a guy I want on the mound that’s not me, I want him.
Tarik Skubal said on Foul Territory podcast
"If there's a guy I want on the mound that's not me, I want him."
— Foul Territory (@FoulTerritoryTV) February 2, 2025
Tarik Skubal said he'd love to have Jack Flaherty back on the Tigers. pic.twitter.com/881RSfBuGg
Skubal has now got his wish. With Flaherty back in the team, the Tigers would be hoping to have a similar dominant type of run all year in 2025 which they had in the latter half of last season.
The team is also currently linked with a move for superstar third baseman Alex Bregman. If the Tigers do land him, they could make a strong push for the title next season.
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Vinay Dave
(1826 Articles Published)