In a dramatic turn of events at the MLB trade deadline, right-hander Jack Flaherty has found a new home with the Los Angeles Dodgers. The move comes after an initial trade agreement between the Detroit Tigers and the New York Yankees fell through, reportedly due to concerns over Flaherty's medical history.
Yankees' Withdrawal
The Yankees had reached a preliminary agreement with the Tigers for Flaherty, but after scrutinizing his medical records, they decided to back out. Flaherty has a documented history of shoulder troubles from 2021 and 2022, which likely played a role in the Yankees' decision. Additionally, Flaherty experienced a lower back issue that sidelined him for a start in early July, necessitating two injections.
This cautious approach by the Yankees isn't unprecedented. The team's past experience with Frankie Montas, who was acquired two years ago amid ongoing shoulder inflammation issues and subsequently missed almost an entire season following surgery, clearly influenced their hesitation.
Dodgers Take the Risk
Undeterred by the Yankees' withdrawal, the Dodgers moved swiftly to secure Flaherty's services from the Tigers, sending catching/first base prospect Thayron Liranzo and shortstop prospect Trey Sweeney to Detroit in exchange. Dodgers manager Dave Roberts confirmed that Flaherty would be making his first start for the team this weekend against the Oakland Athletics.
Despite the health concerns, Flaherty has showcased his prowess on the mound this season. He made 18 starts for the Tigers, posting an impressive 2.95 ERA alongside 33 strikeouts in 106 2/3 innings. His recent performance has been even more dominant, with a 2.08 ERA and a .560 opponent's OPS in his last seven innings. The Tigers even scratched him from a scheduled Monday start to keep him in top condition as trade negotiations heightened.
Strategic Acquisition
The Dodgers' acquisition of Flaherty forms part of their broader strategy to strengthen their pitching rotation in preparation for a deep postseason run. While the move involves some risk given Flaherty's health history, it underscores the Dodgers' confidence in his abilities.
Scott Harris, the Tigers' president, refrained from delving into the specifics of the medical evaluations that influenced the trade dynamics. "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," Harris stated.
For the Dodgers, the decision to proceed highlights their commitment to bolstering their roster and their calculated optimism regarding Flaherty’s potential to contribute significantly. The next challenge lies in ensuring that Flaherty remains healthy and effective as they aim to maintain their competitive edge.
As the weekend approaches, all eyes will be on Flaherty as he takes the mound for the Dodgers, marking the beginning of what they hope will be a fruitful chapter with him in their pitching rotation.