Following his stint with the Dodgers, Flaherty signed a two-year, $35 million contract with the Detroit Tigers, a reunion-style deal that paired him with the organization once again after his contributions helped LA clinch their first of back-to-back titles. Since joining the Tigers, however, Flaherty’s production has not lived up to that prior level.
There’s ongoing speculation about Flaherty potentially attracting buy-low interest at the trade deadline this season, though such moves typically hinge on a pitcher delivering a series of solid starts after the All-Star break.
This season, Flaherty has appeared in 18 starts, compiling a 4.48 ERA over 82.1 innings pitched. The ERA reflects some struggles, including a higher walk rate and home runs allowed, but he has continued to record more than a strikeout per inning. The pattern of struggles isn’t limited to this season; since joining the Tigers at the start of 2025, Flaherty has posted an ERA around 4.5. He went 8-15 last season and is currently 3-8 this year, with a productive but not standout pWAR of 1.0 over roughly 243 innings pitched.
As the season progresses, observers will watch to see if Flaherty can reclaim past form and attract external interest if he demonstrates improved effectiveness after the All-Star break. The dynamics of team needs and market responses continue to shape discussions around trade possibilities and how teams may leverage veteran arms in pursuit of postseason success.
