Jack Flaherty Returns to Tigers on $35M Deal – Can Detroit Contend in 2025?
The Detroit Tigers are making a statement this offseason, bringing back right-hander Jack Flaherty on a two-year, $35 million deal, as first reported by Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic. The contract structure is unique—Flaherty will earn $25 million in the first year and $10 million in the second, with a player opt-out after year one. Additionally, he can pocket an extra $10 million in incentives if he makes at least 15 starts in 2025.
This move signals Detroit’s intent to build on their surprise playoff run in 2024. Last season, the Tigers shocked the baseball world by making a deep postseason push, proving they were ahead of schedule in their rebuild. However, if they want to take the next step and truly contend for a championship, bolstering their starting rotation was a necessity—and Flaherty fills that void.
Despite Flaherty’s addition, questions remain about Detroit’s ability to make further splashes in free agency. The money committed to him may have priced them out of the Alex Bregman sweepstakes, with the All-Star third baseman reportedly seeking one last lucrative payday. If the Tigers can find a way to make it work, adding a proven veteran bat like Bregman would be a no-brainer, further solidifying their status as legitimate contenders.
Detroit finished third in the AL Central last season, 6.5 games behind the division-winning Guardians and losing a tiebreaker to the Royals for second place. Neither Kansas City nor Cleveland appears to have taken a step back this offseason, making the road to the top even tougher. While Flaherty’s signing is a strong move for the Tigers, it may not be enough on its own to leapfrog their division rivals.
Ultimately, this signing is a promising start, but if Detroit is serious about contending, more moves need to follow.
