Orioles Splash the Cash: Baltimore Poised to Steal Dodgers Trade Price with $88 Million Offer
The Los Angeles Dodgers rotation is shaping up to be one of the most dangerous groups in baseball. However, it could be missing one of the biggest contributors from 2024.
While making predictions for the best-remaining pitchers in free agency and on the trade block, Bleacher Report’s Zachary D. Rymer predicted that Jack Flaherty would leave the Dodgers and sign with the Baltimore Orioles.
Rymer predicted that Flaherty would sign a four-year, $88 million deal with the Orioles. The Orioles are in danger of losing Corbin Burnes and will have to build a rotation capable of replacing his production.
Flaherty was a key piece of the Dodgers World Series title. He came over at the trade deadline and filled in for an injury-riddled rotation. Yoshinobu Yamamoto, Tyler Glasnow and Clayton Kershaw all missed time. Flaherty stepped up as the ace in their absence.
“Flaherty had a 2.95 ERA when the Dodgers acquired him from the Detroit Tigers in July,” wrote Rymer. “He also had two very good starts in the playoffs, including a scoreless seven-inning gem in Game 1 of the National League Championship Series.”
While the Dodgers needed him last season, he may not be as valuable to them with the addition of Blake Snell and the returns of Shohei Ohtani and Tyler Glasnow to the mound. He had a 7.36 ERA in the postseason. The fact that the two sides have not come to an agreement yet, and the signing of Snell, could point to a divorce for the hometown starter.
He is one of the better starting pitchers available and could potentially earn a nine-figure deal, judging from some of the other contracts signed this offseason.
“Especially given that he isn’t tied to draft pick compensation, it’s possible that Flaherty will score a nine-figure deal,” wrote Rymer. “If not, he should at least come close.”
