Jack Flaherty’s first stint in an Orioles uniform didn’t go properly, 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 laborious emotions exist between Flaherty and the O’s, as The Athletic’s Will Sammon and Katie Woo write that “each side can 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 objective 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 Collection ring together with his hometown group.
Flaherty’s 29.9% strikeout price, 32.1% whiff price, and 5.9% stroll price had been all wonderful, whereas his hard-contact and chase charges had been each properly above the league common. Batters had been in a position to 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 group was unable to re-sign Corbin Burnes. Now that Burnes has formally signed with the Diamondbacks, it subsequently isn’t stunning that Sammon and Woo write that the Orioles “not too long ago inquired about Flaherty,” in addition to different starters they could have on their goal checklist.
What number of free brokers are on that focus on checklist isn’t clear, as Flaherty stands out as the highest starter obtainable now that Burnes is off the board. Flaherty is maybe 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. After all, Flaherty’s inconsistent monitor report previous to 2024 isn’t precisely proof that the 29-year-old is that sort of frontline pitcher, nevertheless it may communicate 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 vital 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 choose within the 2025 draft — a concession Baltimore was reportedly cautious about giving up for Pivetta or another certified pitcher moreover Burnes (who wouldn’t have price the Orioles any further compensation since he was their very own free agent).
