Jack Flaherty’s first stint in an Orioles uniform didn’t go nicely, because the right-hander struggled to a 6.75 ERA in 34 2/3 innings after Baltimore acquired him from the Cardinals on the 2023 commerce deadline. Nonetheless, it doesn’t seem that any arduous emotions exist between Flaherty and the O’s, as The Athletic’s Will Sammon and Katie Woo write that “each side could be open to a reunion after Flaherty’s bounce-back season.”
Accidents marred Flaherty’s 2020-22 seasons, and his 2023 numbers are okay however unspectacular (4.43 ERA in 109 2/3 innings) even earlier than his manufacturing cratered by the commerce to Baltimore. He signed a one-year, $14MM cope with the Tigers final offseason with the aim of re-establishing his worth for an additional fast journey into free company, and that plan paid off in spades. Flaherty posted a 3.17 ERA over 162 innings for the Tigers and Dodgers, and one other deadline deal that despatched him to Los Angeles noticed Flaherty seize a World Sequence ring together with his hometown crew.
Flaherty’s 29.9% strikeout charge, 32.1% whiff charge, and 5.9% stroll charge have been each wonderful, whereas his hard-contact and chase charges have been each nicely above the league common. Batters have been in a position to sq. up Flaherty after they did make good contract (24 homers allowed, 7.7% barrel charge) and his fastball averaged solely 93.3mph, however his modest four-seamer was principally a setup pitch for Flaherty’s devastating curveball.
This isn’t the primary time Flaherty has been linked to the Orioles this winter, as The Athletic’s Ken Rosenthal wrote a couple of weeks in the past that the O’s considered Flaherty as a possible backup plan if the crew was unable to re-sign Corbin Burnes. Now that Burnes has formally signed with the Diamondbacks, it due to this fact isn’t stunning that Sammon and Woo write that the Orioles “lately inquired about Flaherty,” in addition to different starters they could have on their goal record.
What number of free brokers are on that focus on record isn’t clear, as Flaherty stands out as the highest starter obtainable now that Burnes is off the board. Flaherty is probably the one pitcher remaining who has clear-cut upside as a No. 1 starter, which is what the Orioles want for a rotation that’s strong however missing in a real ace. After all, Flaherty’s inconsistent monitor document previous to 2024 isn’t precisely proof that the 29-year-old is that form of frontline pitcher, however it may converse to his expertise that the O’s are nonetheless signing him even within the wake of the 2023 letdown.
Such pitchers because the Padres’ Dylan Stop and the Mariners’ Luis Castillo have been linked to the Orioles on the commerce entrance, however buying these hurlers would value the O’s in each prospects and (in Castillo’s case) some important cash. Signing Flaherty would value Baltimore “solely” cash, and maybe importantly, no draft picks since Flaherty wasn’t eligible for a qualifying supply. Nick Pivetta is the final pitcher remaining who rejected a qualifying supply, and signing Pivetta would value the Orioles their third-highest decide within the 2025 draft — a concession Baltimore was reportedly cautious about giving up for Pivetta or every other certified pitcher in addition to Burnes (who wouldn’t have value the Orioles any further compensation since he was their very own free agent).
