The Detroit Tigers signed Jack Flaherty to a 1-year deal worth $14 mill for this season. This is his best season so far going back to 2021.
Since coming to Detroit, Flaherty has done very well despite getting almost zero run support. He is currently 3-4 with a 3.22 ERA. His WHIP is an astonishing .963.
Here is where he ranks in MLB pitching:
#4 in strikeouts per 9 innings
#2 in strikeouts
#10 in fewest walks and hits given up per inning pitched
#3 in fewest walks per 9 innings pitched
Flaherty is 28 years old.
Considering that he becomes a free agent after this year, any attempt to trade him will be seen as a rental. Given that, the return for him will be minimal.
Should the Tigers offer him a contract extension? Keep in mind that players give priority to the number of years for a contract over salary.
Flaherty would want a multi-year contract given his age. Expect a minimum of 4 years (probably closer to 5 years) in order to retain him.
Should the Tigers make an offer? Or should they focus instead on adding another 1- year veteran to join Maeda, Mize, Olson and Skubal in 2025. Maeda has 1 year left on his contract and Skubal will become a free agent after 2026.
Today’s blog addresses this question and allows readers to share their thoughts in more detail. And hopefully, to actively engage with others by responding to their posts and creating back-and-forth discussion threads. The more the merrier!
For this one blog only, you’ve got 6 sentences max to share your thoughts. Of course, you can also respond to other readers.
TT will supply the ammunition. One thought-provoking question. Several options provided. One hard choice to be selected. One vote.
Ready?
Make sure to come back and check the final results!
Don’t see your comment? Comments are limited to a maximum of 6 sentences (today only!) and must address the day’s topic. Please make sure to check out the other rules for posting under the link at the top of the page in order for your comments to be published.
FINAL RESULTS FROM A MAY TOTALLY TIGERS POLL:
If promised that the Tigers would play above .500 this year, would you agree to them wearing the City Connect uniforms for every game?
- No, there are some things that cannot be bought. Keep the Old English D. 65%
- Yes, sign me up for the City Connect uniforms! 35%
THE BEST COMMENT FROM YESTERDAY’S BLOG:
We have the best readers! So many thoughtful comments that it was hard to pick just 1 – or even 2.
from Rob Glastone: “For us, to have waited as long as we did for Whitaker to get on the wall, this seems a little disrespectful to him. Leyland had a nice run with us but was 0-2 in the series. I get he’s going into the Hall, but to retire his number just seems a bit much, especially the no. 10, a very popular number.”
from McWatt: “When Leyland is mentioned with the list of Tiger greats I’m reminded of the Sesame Street song, “One of These Things is Not Like the Others”. I believe only managers who’ve won a WS should qualify. And retiring numbers frivolously will one day result in guys wearing triple digits.”
from detroiter 1979: “The Tigers, and I mean only the Tigers, would retire the number of a manager who went 1-8 in two WS. To boot, he isn’t even wearing a logo on his plaque. Sparky is wearing a Reds logo but he not only won here but he’s also the winningest Tigers manager.”
from mbmfree2003: “I would agree with the retiring of Leyland’s Tiger uniform number(#10). Only if he went into the Hall of Fame as a Tiger. He did not (he could have requested this). Therefore, No.”
from Chris: “I respect Leyland and don’t mind having a special day to celebrate and acknowledge his hall of fame induction. However, I don’t agree that he is deserving of having his number retired since he’s mainly remembered for success elsewhere. I think many fans feel that an argument can be made that the Tigers underachieved under his tenure, especially after the excitement of 2006.”
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Why in the world would he want to stay here?
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Because our pitching triumvirate helped him find his rookie success. I have heard him many times talk about how much he loves the clubhouse culture and the guys. Raised by a single mother he seems to really have his head on straight and quality individuals don’t grow on trees.
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I believe it would be a good decision to sign Flaherty to a multi year contract as he is one of the best pitchers in baseball and is only going to get better. The real question is will he be willing to resign with the Tigers as they have been in a constant rebuild for years and the way it looks for many years to come. Good pitchers and players usually want to play for teams who have a good chance to make the playoffs if not win it al.
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Given the fragility of today’s pitchers and the short leash given to starters I frankly cannot justify giving any pitcher a long term extension. I would rather see big contracts negotiated with free agents like Bergman or Kim. I really like Flaherty and don’t kid myself about his diminished trade value as a rental. I just question how many quality innings the Tigers would get during the course of a multi-year contract with Jack.
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Hughie your theory about pitching with a short leash is very true but still being in the game in the 5th or 6th inning means a lot. As far as position players like Bregman or Kim if they could sign one of them or any respected FA like years ago with Pudge others will follow.
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Great question if we were just a year from competing. But we are more like 3-5 yrs away and spending $125+M on Flaherty to secure him for 2027-28 isn’t in the cards. Therefore, Harris sticks to his plan of signing one year pitchers and flipping them for young hitters. Hopefully, one of these young lottery tickets turns into a keeper that can be part of his core. That core will all hit their prime at the same time, maximizing performance at a minimal cost, leaving money in the budget to buy the free agents needed to be a serious contender. Whereas Flaherty will only get us a $10 scratch-off lottery ticket, Skubal can get us a couple shots at the Powerball.
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I voted no. I’d prefer the Tigers give Flaherty the Qualifying Offer which he will turn down, then the Tigers get a compensation pick in the draft. I think it’s between the 2nd and 3rd rounds, I like the idea of giving Harris/Greenberg another good pick selection.
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Wouldn’t you prefer to trade for a kid that has shown some promise, who is closer to being to the majors? This draft is considered light on high school talent and picking after the 2nd round might be like buying a $2 scratch-off vs a $10. Fansided wrote a trade proposal article where we trade him back the the Cardinals for a top pitching prospect and hit first OF.
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A two month rental, which is what Jack would be doesn’t bring back what they used to, GMs all use the same value systems now. Tigers getting an extra Draft pick has a lot more upside in my view.
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Teams that win championships have very good pitching. Flaherty is a very good pitcher and still young. Of course the Tigers should offer him an extension. A fair market value extension in terms of both dollars and years. The trouble is with all the craziness going on with local TV markets, what IS FMV? The correct move might be to trade him now and then make a serious bid to sign him again this winter.
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You’re so right GO, FA contracts have been fueled by excessive media contracts. Flaherty came with the mantras to refind himself which has been a success ala Fetter and Company. Sign him now in season, he may just be happy and give a discount because Harris was astute enough to see the potential.
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How do you build a core if you only sign players on 1-year contracts. Sign the guy for 5-years if that is what it takes. A 33-year old player is not a handicap. Plenty of pitchers are still in the game at 33.
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If his health is not a concern, sign him for the extension but only without a no trade clause. Then, if he is continues to be a top pitcher, you have choices. If the team is improving and he helps attracts other talent, keep him. Or, you have the option to trade him but now his contract has some years with it so he is not a short term rental. A lot of ifs, but now you have a player of value.
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Love how Flaherty has worked out for Tigers and he seems to be headed to a big payday. But be careful about considering his contract in isolation. If the Tigers are going to increase their payroll wouldn’t they be better off shoring up their every day lineup? I mean Canha and Urshela (on one-year contracts) bat in the heart of our order this season. If they pay Flaherty market rate, then I hope it’s a sign that they are ready to start investing in multiple MLB players .
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I would offer Jack Flaherty a 5-year contract for $80-90 mil. Tigers are one big hitter away from the playoffs. If Flaherty held out for free-agency, he would probably get a bigger offer from a deep-pocketed team, but he might prefer an extension now. His only negatives are right shoulder injury in 2022 and tendency to give up homeruns–neither serious.
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The Tigers haven’t had pitchers this high caliber since they traded Justin Verlander in 2017 with Flaherty and Skubal. They need to find a way to keep at least one of them. The Tigers claim they have good pitching in the minors with Jobe and others but like hitting their numbers are minor league numbers. There has been many prospects put up good numbers then get called up either to get hit all over the place or can’t hit a lick.
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I’m torn but voted no. He won’t be 29 until October and slots between Skubal and Olson as the three best pitchers in the rotation, so there’s that. But he’ll cost big money to re-sign, while Jobe, Madden, Flores, Hurter and Montero are on their way. Flipping Flaherty for some offense wouldn’t be the worst thing at the trade deadline.
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True but you can’t buy moxie and Flaherty has it. Other than possibly Jobe, your other 4 are far away. Madden is struggling and Wilmer is getting back to where he was 2 years ago for Erie.
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