DETROIT – The Detroit Tigers have inked a deal with RHP Jack Flaherty, signing him to a two-year, $35,000,000 contract covering the 2025-26 seasons. The agreement includes a player opt-out after the first season. Flaherty will receive a $5,000,000 signing bonus and a $20,000,000 salary in 2025. His 2026 salary stands at $10,000,000, with the potential to increase to $20,000,000 if he makes 15 starts in 2025. Additionally, the contract includes a one-time assignment bonus of $500,000.
Return to Detroit:
Flaherty, 29, is returning to the Tigers after starting the 2024 season with the team before being traded to the Los Angeles Dodgers on July 30. The right-hander had initially signed a one-year deal with Detroit last offseason and enjoyed a resurgent year, posting a 7-5 record with a 2.95 ERA (106.2 IP/35 ER) in 18 starts, including 11 quality starts. He showcased excellent command, registering 11.22 K/9 and 1.6 BB/9 rates with the Tigers.
After his trade, Flaherty continued to impress with the Dodgers, recording a 6-2 record with a 3.58 ERA (55.1 IP/22 ER) in 10 regular-season starts. He also made five postseason starts, including a standout 7.0 scoreless inning performance in a Game 1 win in the NLCS against the Mets, ultimately helping the Dodgers clinch the World Series championship.
2024 Season Highlights:
Overall, Flaherty finished the 2024 season with a 13-7 record, a 3.17 ERA (162 IP/57 ER), 194 strikeouts, only 38 walks, and a 0.96 WHIP in 28 regular-season starts between the Tigers and Dodgers. His 10.78 K/9 rate ranked third-best in the majors, while his 5.11 K/BB rate ranked eighth-best. Flaherty’s 13 wins marked a career best, and his 162.0 innings pitched and strikeout total were his highest since 2019 with the St. Louis Cardinals, when he went 11-8 with a 2.75 ERA (196.1 IP/60 ER) and finished fourth in N.L. Cy Young Award voting.
Career Overview:
The 2025 season will mark Flaherty’s ninth year in the majors. He has previously pitched for the Cardinals (2017-23), Baltimore Orioles (2023), Tigers (2024), and Dodgers (2024). He holds a 55-41 career record with a 3.63 ERA (829.2 IP/335 ER), 942 strikeouts, and 292 walks. Flaherty has been part of four playoff teams, making a combined 10 appearances (nine starts) in the postseason.
Trade Details:
Flaherty was traded to the Dodgers for infielder Trey Sweeney and catcher Thayron Liranzo. Sweeney, 24, made his major league debut and appeared in 36 games (33 starts at shortstop) as the Tigers qualified for the postseason for the first time in 10 years. Sweeney was the starting shortstop in all seven Tigers playoff games. Liranzo is ranked 69th on Baseball America’s Top 100 Prospects list for 2025.
Background:
Born in Burbank, CA, Flaherty attended Harvard-Westlake High School and was drafted by the St. Louis Cardinals in the first round (34th overall) of the 2014 MLB Draft.
