The recent Major League Baseball trade deadline sparked significant activity, and one of the most captivating moves involved right-hander Jack Flaherty. Initially, the New York Yankees were ahead in the race for Flaherty, even reaching a preliminary agreement with the Detroit Tigers. However, after reviewing his medical records, the Yankees backed out of the deal.
Health Concerns and Trade Complications
Flaherty's medical history appears to have played a crucial role in the Yankees' decision to withdraw from the deal. He has dealt with shoulder trouble during the 2021 and 2022 seasons and faced a lower back issue that caused him to miss a start in early July. This back problem required two injections, raising red flags for the Yankees, who had previously experienced a similar situation with Frankie Montas. Acquired two years ago, Montas missed starts due to shoulder inflammation, eventually undergoing surgery the following spring and missing nearly the entire season.
The Dodgers Step In
With the Yankees out of the picture, the Los Angeles Dodgers seized the opportunity to acquire Flaherty from the Detroit Tigers. In exchange, the Dodgers sent catcher/first base prospect Thayron Liranzo and shortstop prospect Trey Sweeney to Detroit.
The Dodgers are banking on Flaherty's ability to stay healthy and bolster their pitching rotation as they aim for a deep postseason run. Manager Dave Roberts has confirmed that Flaherty will make his first start for the Dodgers this weekend against the Oakland Athletics.
Flaherty's Performance and Potential
Flaherty made 18 starts for the Tigers this season, posting an impressive 2.95 ERA with 33 strikeouts in 106 2/3 innings. His more recent outings have been particularly strong, with a 2.08 ERA and a .560 opponent's OPS in his last seven innings. Given his recent performance, the Dodgers' acquisition of Flaherty is a calculated risk aimed at adding depth and quality to their roster.
A Calculated Risk for the Dodgers
For the Dodgers, acquiring Flaherty is a strategic move to solidify their pitching rotation in anticipation of a challenging postseason. Reflecting on the trade, it's evident that the Dodgers' decision to move forward demonstrates their confidence in Flaherty's abilities and their commitment to strengthening their team.
Addressing the broader context of the trade, Tigers president Scott Harris remarked, "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 was scratched from a scheduled Monday start by the Tigers to protect his value as trade negotiations intensified. This move underscored the Tigers' awareness of Flaherty's worth and perhaps their own apprehensions surrounding his medical history.
Ultimately, the Dodgers are hopeful that Flaherty will stay healthy and become a vital part of their rotation. His prospective performance could very well play a pivotal role in the Dodgers' aspirations for the postseason. With a strong ERA and great potential, Flaherty represents both a risk and a promising opportunity for the Dodgers as they vie for another championship.