Jack Flaherty was one of the bigger names to move on Tuesday’s MLB Trade Deadline. The Detroit Tigers traded their hard-throwing starting pitcher to the Los Angeles Dodgers. Flaherty, on the other hand, came close to signing with the New York Yankees.
In fact, if not for a supposed case of cold feet, Flaherty might have ended up in the Bronx.
Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic reported on the potential deal after Flaherty was moved to the Dodgers.
“Jack Flaherty could have landed with the New York Yankees instead of the Los Angeles Dodgers,” Rosenthal said. “But according to sources briefed on the discussions, the Yankees backed out of a preliminary trade agreement with the Detroit Tigers for Flaherty after reviewing the right-hander’s medical records.”
Flaherty has struggled with injuries throughout his career. He made only nine appearances in 2022 due to shoulder issues. He also missed one start in early July due to a back problem. However, Flaherty has pitched well since missing the start. In three July starts, Flaherty had a 1.53 ERA, 0.736 WHIP, and 18 strikeouts in 17.2 innings.
There appears to be little to no regard for Flaherty’s health in Los Angeles. The Dodger Blue X (previously Twitter) page claimed on Tuesday that Flaherty will most likely pitch for the Dodgers in their weekend series against the Oakland Athletics.
Jack Flaherty will likely pitch in Oakland to make his #Dodgers debut.
— Dodger Blue (@DodgerBlue1958) July 30, 2024
The Yankees have also had dismal luck with their pitching signings. At the 2022 deadline, New York acquired Frankie Montas. He started eight games that season but appeared only once in 2023. Similarly, Carlos Rodón was signed before the 2023 season. He only made 14 starts that year, but has made 22 in 2024.
If Flaherty has had any health difficulties this season, they aren’t evident in his performances. After a bad year in 2023, Flaherty has responded in 2024. Before his trade to Los Angeles, he made 18 starts for the Tigers, going 7-5 with a 2.95 ERA, 0.956 WHIP, and 133 strikeouts in 106.2 innings.
Rangers acquire LHP Andrew Chafin from the Tigers.
The Detroit Tigers traded left-handed pitcher Andrew Chafin to the Texas Rangers on Tuesday, ahead of the MLB trade deadline.
The Rangers traded right-handed pitching prospects Joseph Montalvo and Chase Lee to the Tigers in exchange for the veteran reliever.
Chafin, 34, joins the defending World Series winners as they look to make a playoff push. Despite starting the day three games below.500, the Rangers are only 3 1/2 games behind the American League West lead.
Chafin has a 3.16 ERA in 41 bullpen appearances for the Tigers this season, going 3-2 with one save in four attempts. In 37 innings, he has walked 16 and struck out 50 batters.
Chafin has a 3.39 ERA, a 20-26 record, and 20 saves in an 11-year MLB career that has included five clubs. He has 535 strikeouts in 489 innings over his career.
Montalvo, 22, is 4-2 with a 2.44 ERA in 13 High-A starts this season. Lee, 25, has spent the most of the last three years in Triple-A Round Rock and is 1-0 with a 1.93 ERA in 11 games (one start) split between two levels this season.
Chafin now has a spot on the Rangers’ 40-man roster after right-hander Jonathan Hernandez, 28, was designated for assignment. This season, he is 3-1 with a 5.05 ERA, 26 walks, and 36 strikeouts in 41 innings across 26 games (one start) for Texas.
