The recent Major League Baseball trade deadline was marked by notable transactions, with one of the most intriguing moves involving right-hander Jack Flaherty. Following a trail of medical reviews and strategic decisions, Flaherty has ultimately landed with the Los Angeles Dodgers. The Dodgers acquired him from the Detroit Tigers in exchange for prospects Thayron Liranzo and Trey Sweeney.
Dodgers Add Depth to their Rotation
Initially, the New York Yankees were at the forefront of negotiations for Flaherty, having reached a preliminary agreement with the Detroit Tigers. However, after assessing his medical records, the Yankees decided to back out of the deal. Flaherty's medical history includes recurring shoulder troubles from the 2021 and 2022 seasons, and a lower back issue that caused him to miss a start in early July, requiring two injections. This history understandably concerned the Yankees, who have previously navigated a similar situation with Frankie Montas. Montas was acquired by the Yankees two years ago after dealing with shoulder inflammation, and he subsequently underwent surgery, missing nearly the entire following season.
This hesitation opened the door for the Dodgers, who seized the opportunity to bolster their pitching rotation for a deep postseason run. Dodgers manager Dave Roberts has confirmed that Flaherty will make his first start for the team against the Oakland Athletics this weekend.
The Medical Hurdles
The Yankees' cautious approach stemmed from their relatively recent experience with Montas and his complicated recovery journey. Signing Flaherty entailed a calculated risk for any team considering his history. Despite these concerns, the Dodgers remained confident in Flaherty's potential to significantly enhance their rotation.
Tigers president Scott Harris chose not to comment specifically on the medical aspects of the trade: "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."
Flaherty's Recent Performance
Flaherty's performance this season provides plenty of optimism for the Dodgers. He made 18 starts for the Tigers, posting a commendable 2.95 ERA with 33 strikeouts in 106 2/3 innings. Even more promising are his more recent outings, which include a 2.08 ERA and a .560 opponent's OPS in his last seven innings. The Tigers had even scratched him from a scheduled Monday start to protect his value as trade negotiations intensified.
Flaherty's potential to stay healthy and offer meaningful contributions to the Dodgers' rotation is now a key element of their postseason strategy. Acquiring him was a gamble, but one that the Dodgers deemed necessary to strengthen their roster. Their decision to proceed with the trade reflects their confidence in Flaherty's abilities and their readiness to manage the risks involved.
The coming weeks will reveal whether Flaherty's move to Los Angeles pays off. The Dodgers are banking on his capability to deliver stellar performances under the bright lights of postseason baseball. If Flaherty stays healthy, his presence could be the crucial factor that propels the Dodgers deeper into October.