The recent Major League Baseball trade deadline was a whirlwind of activity, but one deal that stood out was the Los Angeles Dodgers' acquisition of right-hander Jack Flaherty. Initially, the New York Yankees seemed poised to secure Flaherty, having reached a preliminary agreement with the Detroit Tigers. However, upon reviewing Flaherty’s medical records, the Yankees decided to back out of the deal, citing concerns over his history of shoulder troubles from 2021 and 2022, along with a recent lower back issue that required two injections and sidelined him in early July.
The Yankees' reluctance is understandable given their past experience with Frankie Montas. Acquired two years ago after a series of starts missed due to shoulder inflammation, Montas subsequently required surgery the following spring and missed almost the entire season. This cautionary tale likely influenced their hesitance to proceed with the Flaherty trade.
Ultimately, it was the Dodgers who moved forward, feeling confident enough in Flaherty’s abilities and health to make the deal. In exchange for Flaherty, the Dodgers sent catcher/first base prospect Thayron Liranzo and shortstop prospect Trey Sweeney to the Tigers. Dodgers manager Dave Roberts has already announced that Flaherty will make his debut start for Los Angeles this weekend against the Oakland Athletics.
This move is part of the Dodgers' broader strategy to strengthen their pitching rotation as they eye a deep postseason run. Flaherty’s stats this season indicate why he is such an attractive acquisition. In 18 starts for the Tigers, he posted a solid 2.95 ERA with 33 strikeouts in 106 2/3 innings. More recently, his performance has been even more impressive, featuring a 2.08 ERA and a .560 opponent’s OPS in his last seven innings, underscoring his value as a reliable arm for the Dodgers.
The Tigers, aware of the mounting interest, scratched Flaherty from a scheduled Monday start to protect his value as trade negotiations heated up. This pre-emptive move indicates the high stakes and strategic calculations teams make during trade season.
While the Yankees' retreat was due to medical concerns, the Dodgers’ decision to press forward reflects their confidence in Flaherty’s potential to contribute significantly. Dodgers President of Baseball Operations Andrew Friedman has long been noted for making calculated risks that often pay off, and this acquisition falls in line with that philosophy. Targeting an experienced pitcher like Flaherty, despite his previous health issues, shows the Dodgers' commitment to bolstering their roster in preparation for the postseason.
Tigers president Scott Harris, addressing the situation, stated, "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." His comments highlight the complexities and often opaque nature of the behind-the-scenes decisions that drive these high-stakes deals.
Acquiring Flaherty is indeed a calculated risk for the Dodgers, but one they are willing to take as they strive to add depth and skill to their pitching rotation. If Flaherty can stay healthy and deliver performances reminiscent of his recent outings, he could be a key asset for Los Angeles as they aim for another championship. For now, the eyes of the baseball world will be on his upcoming start against the Athletics, as fans and analysts alike seek to gauge how well he fits into his new team and what impact he might have on their postseason aspirations.