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Free Agent Profile: Blue Jays want to add a starting pitcher and Jack Flaherty is one of the best mid-level starters available
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Photo credit: © Vincent Carchietta - USA Today
Ryley Delaney
Nov 29, 2024, 12:00 ESTUpdated: Nov 29, 2024, 06:13 EST
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The Toronto Blue Jays are reportedly interested in adding a starting pitcher this off-season.
Well, there are plenty of options for the Jays, ranging from top-end pitchers like Max Fried and Corbin Burnes, to mid-level pitchers like Luis Severino and Jack Flaherty. The latter is who we’ll look at in the Free Agent Profile.
According to USA Today’s Bob Nightengale, the Blue Jays declined an offer that included Flaherty for Josh Donaldson during the 2017-18 off-season. That is… less than ideal in hindsight.
However, they have a chance to right that wrong this off-season, so let’s take a look at Flaherty’s stats, his contract outlook, and whether or not he’s a fit for the Blue Jays.

Jack Flaherty’s stats

Flaherty was picked 34th overall in the 2014 draft by the Cardinals and made his debut in the final month of the 2017 season. Between the 2017 season and the 2018 off-season, he was offered to the Blue Jays for Donaldson, with Toronto eventually ending up with Julian Merryweather for the 2015 American League MVP.
In 2018, Flaherty posted a 3.34 ERA and a 3.86 FIP in 151 innings pitched, finishing fifth in National League Rookie of the Year voting. The following season was the best of his career, as he posted a 2.75 ERA and a 3.46 FIP in 196.1 innings pitched with a 29.9 K% and a 7.1 BB%, finishing fourth in National League Cy Young voting.
Flaherty only pitched 40.1 innings in 2020 due to the pandemic and missed large portions of the 2021 and 2022 seasons due to injuries. In 2023, his first full season since 2019, Flaherty had a 4.99 ERA and a 4.36 FIP in 144.1 innings pitched with a 22.8 K% and a 10.2 BB%. Before the trade deadline, he was traded to the Baltimore Orioles.
Last off-season, Flaherty signed with the Detroit Tigers, being traded to the Los Angeles Dodgers at the trade deadline (despite both teams making the postseason). Overall, Flaherty finished with a 3.17 ERA and a 3.48 FIP in 162 innings pitched with a 29.9 K5 and a 5.9 BB%.
Although the Dodgers won the World Series, Flaherty struggled in his five starts, posting a 7.36 ERA and a 6.71 FIP in 22 innings pitched. It’s also worth mentioning that the Yankees pulled out of a trade deadline trade due to his medical records, according to Jim Bowden.

Jack Flaherty’s contract outlook

The Athletic’s Jim Bowden predicts that Flaherty will earn a three-year deal worth $68 million, with comparable contracts to Lance McCullers Jr., Mitch Keller, Sonny Gray, Pablo López, and Kyle Hendricks.
Spotrac has him at a similar number, giving him a market value of $21.1 million. Over a three-year deal, that contract would be about $63.168 million. Compatible contracts are Blake Snell’s with the Giants, Jordan Montgomery, Aaron Nola, and Carlos Rodón.

Is Jack Flaherty a fit for the Blue Jays

It’s been widely reported this off-season that the Blue Jays are looking to add a starting pitcher. They’ve been linked to Max Fried, Blake Snell (before he signed), Luis Severino, Corbin Burnes, and many others.
Flaherty isn’t the best starter available, but when healthy, he is reliable. Coming off a World Series victory, Flaherty is going to get paid and he is one of the better pitchers available on the mid-level market.
Signing Flaherty would allow the Blue Jays to push Yariel Rodríguez to the bullpen, but gives them the issue of five right-handed starters in the rotation. Still, a healthy Flaherty would make the Blue Jays good rotation even better.
As always, you can follow me on Bluesky @ryleydelaney.bsky.social.

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