Inside The Cardinals

Ex-Cardinals Star Predicted To Land With Padres On $50 Million Deal

One former Cardinals star certainly will cash in this winter

Patrick McAvoy

Jul 23, 2021; Miami, Florida, USA; A general view of a San Diego Padres hat and glove in the dugout prior to the game between the Miami Marlins and the San Diego Padres at loanDepot park. Mandatory Credit: Jasen Vinlove-Imagn Images
Jul 23, 2021; Miami, Florida, USA; A general view of a San Diego Padres hat and glove in the dugout prior to the game between the Miami Marlins and the San Diego Padres at loanDepot park. Mandatory Credit: Jasen Vinlove-Imagn Images / Jasen Vinlove-Imagn Images
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Once the World Series ends and the winter gets here things are going to get crazy across Major League Baseball.

Free agency isn't too far away at this point, and speculation is already starting to build up about where the top free agents ultimately will land. Former St. Louis Cardinals star Jack Flaherty is someone who is worth watching.

He signed a one-year deal with the Detroit Tigers ahead of the 2024 season and was traded to the Los Angeles Dodgers this summer. Flaherty has had one of the best seasons of his career and is just 29 years old. This should result in a great payday this winter, but injuries could lower his market value.

There surely will be plenty of suitors for him, though, and Sportsnaut's Matt Johnson predicted that he will end up signing with the San Diego Padres.

"The New York Yankees backed out on a Jack Flaherty trade this season due to medical concerns and the Los Angeles Dodgers have been a bit concerned about his velocity drop in October," Johnson said. "That lays the groundwork for why Flaherty’s potential earning power in MLB free agency could be limited. However, he’s been phenomenal on the mound when healthy.

"The San Diego Padres are no strangers to taking some risks, and with Joe Musgrove (Tommy John surgery) sidelined for the 2025 season, San Diego needs another quality starter. Jack Flaherty contract prediction: 2 years, $50 million ($25M mutual option for 2026. Becomes player option if Flaherty pitches 150-plus innings in 2025)."

Flaherty shined this winter and should get paid like a star once free agency opens up.

More MLB: Cardinals Urged To Consider Deal With Predicted $180 Million Superstar

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Patrick McAvoy
PATRICK MCAVOY

Patrick McAvoy's experiences include local and national sports coverage at the New England Sports Network with a focus on baseball and basketball. Outside of journalism, Patrick also is pursuing an MBA at Brandeis University. After quickly rising as one of the most productive writers on the site, he expanded his reach to write for Baseball Essential, a national baseball site in Sports Illustrated Media Group. For all business/marketing inquiries regarding Inside The Cardinals, please reach out to Scott Neville: nevilles@merrimack.edu

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