The recent Major League Baseball trade deadline brought a wave of activity, with one of the most intriguing moves involving right-hander Jack Flaherty, who has been traded to the Los Angeles Dodgers.
Initially, Flaherty seemed destined for the New York Yankees, as they had reached a preliminary agreement with the Detroit Tigers. However, after reviewing his medical records, the Yankees backed out of the deal, likely recalling their experience with Frankie Montas. Montas had been acquired two years ago despite previous shoulder inflammation and ended up missing nearly the entire following season due to surgery.
Medical Concerns
Flaherty's medical history has been a point of concern. He endured shoulder trouble in 2021 and 2022 and had a lower back issue that caused him to miss a start in early July, requiring two injections. These factors likely played a pivotal role in the Yankees' decision to withdraw from the agreement.
Tigers president Scott Harris refrained from delving into the specifics of the medical-related withdrawal. "I can't comment on medical stuff with trades as a general point. And if medical stuff did affect any of the trades, that's not on our end. You can't ask me about that because we're not the one trading for Jack, so not commenting on any of that stuff because I can't," Harris stated.
The Dodgers' Calculated Risk
Despite these concerns, the Dodgers saw potential in Flaherty and moved forward with the trade. They acquired him from the Tigers in exchange for catcher/first base prospect Thayron Liranzo and shortstop prospect Trey Sweeney. This acquisition is part of the Dodgers’ broader strategy to reinforce their pitching rotation as they aim for a deep postseason run.
Dodgers manager Dave Roberts confirmed that Flaherty will make his debut for the team this weekend against the Oakland Athletics. Roberts and the Dodgers are banking on Flaherty's capability to stay healthy and contribute meaningfully to their rotation, adding depth and experience.
Flaherty’s Season Highlights
Jack Flaherty's performance this season has shown significant promise. While with the Tigers, he made 18 starts, posting a 2.95 ERA with 33 strikeouts over 106 2/3 innings. His recent outings have been particularly notable, including a 2.08 ERA and a .560 opponent’s OPS in his last seven innings. Such stats undoubtedly boosted his trade value, leading the Tigers to scratch him from a scheduled Monday start as negotiations heated up.
The Dodgers' decision to acquire Flaherty is a calculated risk, one they believe is worth taking to enhance their chances at success in the latter part of the season and into the playoffs. With a balance of optimism and caution, the Dodgers are counting on Flaherty to fortify their rotation, demonstrating their confidence in his abilities despite his injury history.
As the Dodgers incorporate Flaherty into their roster, all eyes will be on his first start against the Oakland Athletics. The performance in this game may set the tone for his tenure with the team, offering a glimpse of whether this calculated gamble by the Dodgers will pay off in their pursuit of postseason glory.