Breaking: Dodgers close door on $68 stars return for…
The Los Angeles Dodgers are looking to repeat.
After celebrating their 2024 World Series championship win over the New York Yankees and hosting their parade through Los Angeles, the offseason has officially started and the front office will be looking for ways to fortify the roster in hopes of another championship in 2025.
Toward that end, the team made a qualifying offer for slugger Teoscar Hernández with hopes that he’ll return. And it will be looking to renegotiate with Clayton Kershaw after he declined his player option. But the team will also have to adjust as certain roster pieces move on this winter.
Listing the “Dodgers players who definitely won’t be back” for FanSided, Katrina Stebbins predicted that trade deadline acquisition Jack Flaherty will be one such piece.
“It wouldn’t be altogether surprising if the (Detroit) Tigers approach him again, and Flaherty made it clear on social media that he was still following and rooting for that team during their improbable playoff run,” Stebbins wrote. “He’s also been identified as a good fit for the (Boston) Red Sox and (New York) Mets, but it’s likely a couple more clubs will also make some calls about him.”
After joining the Dodgers in a midseason trade from the Tigers, Flaherty pitched for a 3.58 ERA in 10 regular-season starts. His ERA rose significantly in the playoffs, but he earned one win in five total starts as one of the team’s only healthy starters.
After his strong season, he’s set to earn a significant contract for 2025 and beyond. The Athletic’s Jim Bowden projected that he’ll receive $68 million over three years with his next home.
Given their large payroll and the likelihood that they’ll add some other impact pieces, that could mean the Dodgers decide not to bring Flaherty back.
“Provided everyone is healthy by the start of next season, the Dodgers rotation already looks rather complete as it is,” Stebbins added. “Flaherty will have a lot of options during his free agency, and the Dodgers need to figure out if they even need another starter at all.”
