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. Nevertheless, it doesn’t seem that any exhausting emotions exist between Flaherty and the O’s, as The Athletic’s Will Sammon and Katie Woo write that “either 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 take care of the Tigers final offseason with the aim of re-establishing his worth for one more 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 along with his hometown staff.
Flaherty’s 29.9% strikeout price, 32.1% whiff price, and 5.9% stroll price have been each glorious, whereas his hard-contact and chase charges have been each nicely above the league common. Batters have been capable of sq. up Flaherty once they did make good contract (24 homers allowed, 7.7% barrel price) and his fastball averaged solely 93.3mph, however his modest four-seamer was largely 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 just a few weeks in the past that the O’s considered Flaherty as a possible backup plan if the staff 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 “not too long ago inquired about Flaherty,” in addition to different starters they may 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 out there 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. In fact, Flaherty’s inconsistent observe file previous to 2024 isn’t precisely proof that the 29-year-old is that form of frontline pitcher, nevertheless 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 price the O’s in each prospects and (in Castillo’s case) some important cash. Signing Flaherty would price 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 price the Orioles their third-highest decide within the 2025 draft — a concession Baltimore was reportedly cautious about giving up for Pivetta or some other certified pitcher apart from Burnes (who wouldn’t have price the Orioles any further compensation since he was their very own free agent).
