Jack Flaherty Takes Exception with Article Discussing His Lagging Free Agency
![Los Angeles Dodgers starting pitcher Jack Flaherty (0) reacts after giving up a two-run home run in the sixth inning against the New York Yankees during game one of the 2024 MLB World Series at Dodger Stadium. Los Angeles Dodgers starting pitcher Jack Flaherty (0) reacts after giving up a two-run home run in the sixth inning against the New York Yankees during game one of the 2024 MLB World Series at Dodger Stadium.](https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/upload/c_crop,w_3939,h_2215,x_0,y_0/c_fill,w_720,ar_16:9,f_auto,q_auto,g_auto/images/ImagnImages/mmsport/fastball/01jjs2xfbfwryyrsdmcp.jpg)
With just over two weeks to go until spring training, veteran right-handed pitcher Jack Flaherty remains unsigned.
According to most people, Flaherty is one of the best players to still be unsigned at this point, especially among starting pitchers.
An article, written by Mike Petriello of MLB.com on Tuesday, attempted to look at why Flaherty doesn't have a team yet. He cited injury concerns and decreasing velocity as possible reasons why teams are hesitant to sign Flaherty, especially to a longer-term or bigger-money deal.
As a 23-year-old in 2019, Flaherty looked like a Cardinals ace-in-the-making, finishing fourth in NL Cy Young voting and putting together a close-to-legendary second half, allowing 10 earned runs in 15 starts (0.91 ERA). It didn’t last. He pitched only 154 2/3 injuries over the next three seasons due to shoulder and oblique injuries, then was healthy but ineffective in 2023, posting a 4.99 ERA between St. Louis and Baltimore.
Flaherty took exception with that paragraph, even posting about it himself on social media:
People like Mike who write articles like this and say “he threw 150 innings over the next 3 years” and just omit the fact that we played a 60 game season in 2020 where I went 27 or so days between starts really bother me.
Did I get hurt in 2021,2022 yes. But don’t put 2020 in it
People like Mike who write articles like this and say “he threw 150 innings over the next 3 years” and just omit the fact that we played a 60 game season in 2020 where I went 27 or so days between starts really bother me.
— Jack Flaherty (@jflare_) January 29, 2025
Did I get hurt in 2021,2022 yes. But don’t put 2020 in it https://t.co/aMyqUBVC9M
To Flaherty's point, the COVID 2020 season was only 60 games, meaning there were nearly 2/3 fewer games/innings to pitch. He threw 40.1 innings that season, making nine starts. His nine starts were tied for 86th among pitchers that season, no small feat. If you extrapolated that out to a full season of data, he would have made 24 starts, which would have been a generally successful season under normal circumstances.
Flaherty has spent eight years in the big leagues with the St. Louis Cardinals, Baltimore Orioles, Detroit Tigers and Los Angeles Dodgers. He helped the Dodgers win the World Series in 2024 following a mid-season trade.
Lifetime, he's 55-41 with a 3.63 ERA. He was 13-7 with a 3.17 ERA in 2024.
Related MLB Stories
RAYS BALLPARK DEAL COULD HIT ANOTHER SNAG: At this point, we have to wonder if the Rays are really going to go through with building a new ballpark in the Tampa area. CLICK HERE:
MEADOWS GETS HIGH PRAISE: Current Detroit Tigers outfielder Parker Meadows was listed as a prime "breakout" candidate heading into spring training. CLICK HERE:
PUJOLS MAKES MORE HISTORY: Albert Pujols, serving as manager of Leones del Esgocido in the Dominican Republic, added to his historic resume on Monday night. CLICK HERE:
Follow Fastball on FanNation on social media
Continue to follow our Fastball on FanNation coverage on social media by liking us on Facebook and by following us on Twitter @FastballFN.