If you were hoping to see Jack Flaherty in an Atlanta Braves uniform this season, it’s time to adjust those expectations.
Despite months of speculation linking the right-hander to the Braves, Flaherty is heading to the Detroit Tigers on a two-year, $35 million deal, according to The Athletic’s Ken Rosenthal.
And in a move that keeps his future flexible, there’s an opt-out after the first year.
Braves Miss Out on a Potential Rotation Boost
It seemed like Flaherty and the Braves were a natural fit for a while. Atlanta lost both Max Fried and Charlie Morton from last year’s rotation.
Fried took a big-money deal with the Yankees, while Morton signed a one-year, $15 million contract with the Orioles.
That left some serious questions about Atlanta’s starting pitching depth, and Flaherty, at 28 years old, was an intriguing option with more upside than the 41-year-old Morton. But ultimately, the Braves didn’t make the move, and now the options for rotation help are dwindling.
Flaherty’s 2024 season was a tale of two halves. With the Tigers and Dodgers, he posted a solid 13-7 record with a 3.17 ERA and a 1.068 WHIP across 162 innings, racking up an impressive 194 strikeouts.
His postseason numbers were a bit of a mixed bag—two bad outings inflated his stats, but in crucial Game 1 starts during the NLCS and World Series, he was stellar, allowing just two runs over 12.1 innings.
Health Concerns and Contract Price Likely Deterred Atlanta
One reason Flaherty may not have been a top priority for the Braves? His medical history.
Health concerns likely played a role in why he remained unsigned until February. For their part, the Braves have been extremely cautious with medical evaluations this offseason.
Just last month, a reported deal with Jeff Hoffman fell apart after he failed a physical—Hoffman eventually ended up with the Blue Jays on a three-year, $33 million contract.
Maybe Atlanta had similar reservations about Flaherty, or maybe they just weren’t willing to commit to a $35 million price tag.
What’s Next for the Braves?
Either way, the Braves are running out of free-agent options if they still want to add to their rotation.
Max Scherzer is off the board after signing with Toronto, and other rumored targets like Nathan Eovaldi were scooped up much earlier in free agency.
At this point, the remaining free-agent starters include Jose Quintana, Nick Pivetta, and Andrew Heaney—none of whom are particularly exciting upgrades.
That means Atlanta could pivot to the trade market if they still want to bolster their staff before Opening Day.
So, where do the Braves go from here? With spring training around the corner, that’s the big question. Flaherty would have been an interesting gamble, but for now, he’s Detroit’s problem—or potential ace—depending on how things shake out.
