Jack Flaherty took a moment to reflect on his time with the Detroit Tigers following what could be his final appearance for the team. With the MLB trade deadline approaching, Flaherty pitched six scoreless innings but unfortunately saw Detroit fall 2-1 to the Cleveland Guardians.
In his post-game remarks, Flaherty praised his teammates, emphasizing his enjoyment of his time in Detroit. “The goal is to go out and win games for the team,” Flaherty said. “These guys are awesome, and I’ve enjoyed every single second here. This is an unbelievable group of guys.”
Flaherty, who joined the Tigers last year in a trade after a difficult season, has seen notable improvements in his performance. “I’m just in a better place mentally than I was last year,” he explained. “I’ve done a better job of taking it one day at a time and keeping my focus on trying to win games.”
Since arriving in Detroit, Flaherty has been a significant contributor, with a $14 million deal under his belt. He holds a 7-5 record with a 2.95 ERA over 106.2 innings, striking out 133 batters. His performance has been well-regarded across the league.
In his latest outing, Flaherty faced a challenging environment at Progressive Field, where he was forced to battle hard against the resilient Guardians’ lineup. Despite allowing only two runners into scoring position and accumulating six strikeouts, the Tigers were unable to secure the win.
Detroit center fielder Matt Vierling noted Flaherty’s impressive performance: “For Jack to keep pounding the zone and make pitch after pitch like that was impressive. He kept us in the game, for sure.”
As the trade deadline nears, the Tigers are contemplating Flaherty’s future. If the team decides to retain him, they would secure the potential for a high draft pick in 2025. However, if he is traded, Detroit could gain valuable talent or promising prospects in return. Given Flaherty’s strong season, several teams with playoff hopes, including the Padres, Phillies, and Orioles, are likely to compete for his services to bolster their pitching depth.
