Let’s talk about the Atlanta Braves’ potential offseason moves, particularly in the pitching department. With question marks surrounding Max Fried and Charlie Morton’s availability, Atlanta will likely be on the hunt for starting pitching help as MLB free agency unfolds. And that hunt could include a big swing on a high-risk, high-reward arm—if the Braves are feeling bold.
One intriguing option being floated is Jack Flaherty, whose potential signing brings a mix of excitement and caution. Bleacher Report’s Tim Kelly put forward Flaherty as a possible target for Atlanta, suggesting the Braves may offer him a 3-year, $60 million contract with an opt-out after 2026.
Why the caution? Flaherty’s past few seasons have been a rollercoaster, marked by flashes of brilliance disrupted by persistent injury troubles. Despite those issues, his peak performance potential still catches the attention of teams hoping to catch lightning in a bottle.
Flaherty was on fire back in 2019, showcasing his talent with a 2.75 ERA, 231 strikeouts, and a league-best 0.968 WHIP while finishing fourth in the Cy Young voting for the St. Louis Cardinals. That year, he looked like one of the future’s brightest young pitchers. Since then, however, he’s struggled to maintain consistency and health, an issue that has dogged him in recent years.
Before his move to the Dodgers, a potential trade with the Yankees fell through because of back injury concerns. That red flag is enough to make some teams think twice, and Atlanta will have to decide if the potential for an ace-level performance is worth the gamble.
The 2023 season offered a snapshot of Flaherty’s ups and downs. He managed a solid 13-7 record with a 3.17 ERA over 28 starts for the Dodgers and Tigers, adding 192 strikeouts in 162 innings. These numbers seem promising on paper, but his playoff performance was a mixed bag—strong in one start and shaky in the next. That pattern of brilliance followed by inconsistency makes Flaherty a question mark.
The Braves would certainly be banking on their own pitching staff and rotation strategies to keep Flaherty healthy and productive. In 2024, they deployed a six-man rotation to manage Chris Sale’s workload successfully, and they might consider a similar approach to protect Flaherty’s arm. The upside? A return to form for Flaherty would make him a valuable addition to the rotation, potentially pushing the Braves’ pitching staff from “good” to “elite.”
The decision here boils down to risk tolerance. Do the Braves believe enough in Flaherty’s potential to take the plunge, or do they opt for a safer, perhaps less electrifying arm? If Atlanta thinks its staff can unlock the best version of Flaherty and keep him on the mound, this move could be well worth the gamble. But with Flaherty, there’s no avoiding the “what if” factor and the Braves will have to weigh that against the promise of a game-changing arm.
