No doubt, it has not been a banner year for Tigers starting pitcher Jack Flaherty, whose 4.74 ERA is the second-highest of his career and who currently leads the American League in losses, at 13.
But still, Flaherty has several qualities that other teams around MLB find admirable, notably that he is a starter who can stay healthy. Flaherty made 28 starts for two teams in 2024 and 27 for two teams in 2023. This year, he has stuck with the Tigers the entire season, and has already made 27 starts–tied for 11th in the American League.
Despite his ERA, his 1.286 WHIP is respectable enough, and he has logged 169 strikeouts. There are now two months to go before the World Series ends, at which point, Flaherty will have to make a decision on his future with the Tigers, because he has a $20 million player option on the second half of his two-year, $45 million contract.
Jack Flaherty Seeking Long-Term Deal?
As ESPN baseball insider Jeff Passan sees it, Flaherty will opt out and hit free agency and seek a longer deal with better security.
From Passan’s look-ahead at free agency: “Jack Flaherty, Tigers, right-handed starter: While Flaherty’s 4.74 ERA is unsightly, he has struck out 169 in 142⅓ innings, enough for him to consider turning down $20 million and seeking a greater guarantee in free agency.
“Will he opt out: Yes.”
According to Spotrac, the market for Flaherty won’t be higher than what he’s set to be paid next year, on an annual basis. But the site has Flaherty earning a $44 million, three-year deal that will take him past his age 32 season.
Tigers Have Free-Agent Reliever Too
Also of interest for the Tigers is the future of reliever Kyle Finnegan, who has been lights-out since arriving in Detroit, at 3-0 with a 0.00 ERA and 19 strikeouts in 14.1 innings. Finnegan has been stellar forming a 1-2 combo with Will Vest at the back end of the bullpen, and is currently dealing with “groin tightness” he first experiences last week.
Passan says Finnegan will be a top free-agent this winter.
He writes: “Since joining Detroit at the deadline, Finnegan hasn’t allowed a run in 14⅓ innings, has struck out 19 and allowed just three hits and three walks. He’s setting himself up for a nice payday and is hopeful the groin issue that kept him from entering Wednesday’s game isn’t serious.”
The Tigers picked up the remainder of Finnegan’s one-year, $6 million contract, and Spotrac foresees him warranting a two-year, $19 million contract in free agency.
Tigers Starter Predicted to Turn Down $20 Million in Free-Agency Move