Jack Flaherty Rejoins Tigers on 2-Year, $35 Million Deal

Jack Flaherty Rejoins Tigers on 2-Year, $35 Million Deal

Right-handed pitcher Jack Flaherty is coming back to Detroit after signing a two-year, $35 million contract with the Tigers, according to sources. The deal is still pending a physical, but assuming everything checks out, Flaherty will be back in the city where he turned his career around last season.

The Contract Details

Here’s how his deal is structured:

  • Year 1: Flaherty will make $25 million.
  • Opt-Out Clause: After one season, he can choose to leave and test free agency again.
  • Year 2: If he stays, he’s guaranteed $10 million, but that jumps to $20 million if he starts at least 15 games.

This structure gives him the freedom to bet on himself—if he has another strong season, he can opt out and sign a bigger contract next year. If not, he still gets at least $10 million in 2026.

Why Did Flaherty Take This Deal?

Free agency dragged on for four months, and Flaherty didn’t land the long-term contract he might have been hoping for. Instead of settling for a lesser deal elsewhere, he chose to return to Detroit, where he had success last year.

The $25 million salary for 2025 puts him among the highest-paid starting pitchers in the league.

Flaherty’s 2024 Comeback

Flaherty earned this payday by bouncing back in a big way last season. With the Tigers, he made 18 starts, finishing with a 2.95 ERA and a strikeout-to-walk ratio of nearly 7-to-1.

At the trade deadline, the Dodgers acquired him, and he ended up throwing the most postseason innings of any pitcher on their staff, helping them win a World Series title.

Read this:   USA vs Canada Hockey: How Team USA Secured Victory in a Heated Matchup

This was exactly what he needed—a career reset after a few rough years due to injuries and inconsistency.

Flaherty’s Journey: From Star to Struggles to Redemption

Back in 2018, Flaherty was one of the most exciting young pitchers in baseball, finishing his rookie season with a 3.34 ERA over 151 innings. He followed that up with a dominant 2019, finishing fourth in the NL Cy Young voting after being one of the best pitchers in baseball during the second half of the season.

Then, injuries hit. From 2021 to 2022, he just couldn’t stay healthy. Even when he returned in 2023, he was still experimenting with new pitches and trying to get his form back.

Detroit turned out to be the perfect place for him. Comerica Park is a big ballpark, which helps fly-ball pitchers like Flaherty keep runs off the board. The Tigers also gave him the time and opportunity to find his groove again.

The results? A big improvement.

  • His ERA dropped from 4.99 in 2023 to 3.17 in 2024.
  • He pitched 162 innings, striking out 194 batters while only walking 38.
  • And, thanks to playing for both Detroit and the Dodgers, he got a rare playoff bonus from two teams.

Source: Jack Flaherty, Tigers have 2-year, $35 million deal, sources say

Tigers’ Rotation Gets Even Stronger

Flaherty returns to a Detroit pitching staff that is already loaded with talent. He’ll join:

  • Tarik Skubal (the reigning AL Cy Young winner)
  • Reese Olson
  • Casey Mize
  • Alex Cobb (who signed a one-year, $15 million deal this offseason)

On top of that, the Tigers have young arms like Matt Manning, Keider Montero, and Jackson Jobe, the latter of whom is considered one of the best pitching prospects in the game.

Read this:   Cole Ragans Stays in Kansas City: Royals Sign Ace Through 2027
Jack Flaherty Rejoins Tigers on 2-Year, $35 Million Deal

How His Deal Compares to Other Pitchers

Flaherty’s contract is similar to what some other big-name pitchers have signed recently:

  • Jordan Montgomery got a two-year deal last offseason, but his contract guaranteed him $10 million less than Flaherty’s.
  • Carlos Rodón signed a two-year, $44 million deal with the Giants in 2022, but he had to pitch at least 110 innings to opt out, which he did before signing a long-term deal with the Yankees.

In other words, Flaherty’s deal gives him good financial security while still allowing him to test free agency again soon if he continues to pitch well.

What’s Next for Flaherty?

Now, the question is: Can he keep this up?

If Flaherty pitches well again in 2025, he will likely opt out and go for a bigger, multi-year contract next offseason.

If he struggles or gets injured, he’ll still have at least $10 million coming in 2026, with a chance to earn more if he stays healthy and makes at least 15 starts.

For the Tigers, bringing back Flaherty gives them another proven arm in the rotation, helping them push for another playoff run.

Either way, this deal makes sense for both sides. Flaherty gets a big paycheck and another chance to prove himself, while Detroit gets a high-quality pitcher to help them compete in 2025.

Now, it’s up to Flaherty to keep proving he’s back for good.

Read More: Levante Stuns Barcelona, Ending 46-Game Unbeaten Run