Pitching Reunion in Orioles: Batilmore Eyes Reunion with Breakout Ace to Bolster Rotation
The Baltimore Orioles have yet to make a splash this offseason. That could change soon.
According to Will Sammon and Katie Woo of The Athletic, the Orioles and Jack Flaherty are mutually interested in a reunion. The two sides had been linked earlier in the offseason, with Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic reporting that the Orioles viewed Flaherty as a backup plan if they could not retain pitcher Corbin Burnes.
There is some history with Flaherty and the Orioles. The Orioles acquired Flaherty at the 2023 trade deadline, hoping that he would solidify the rotation down the stretch. Instead, Flaherty struggled in Baltimore, posting a 6.75 ERA and a 1.673 WHIP in his 34.2 innings, striking out 42 batters with 12 walks. The Orioles eventually pulled Flaherty from the rotation as they looked to hold on to a playoff berth.
Flaherty signed a one-year, $14 million contract with the Tigers for 2024 to rebuild his value. He was able to do exactly that, posting a 3.17 ERA and a 1.068 WHIP in his 162 innings between the Tigers and Dodgers, striking out 194 batters with 38 walks. Flaherty won a World Series ring after being traded to the Dodgers and hit the open market in search of a more lucrative deal.
The Orioles need to make a move to keep up in the AL East. While the Yankees lost outfielder Juan Soto, subsequent moves may have strengthened New York. The Orioles signed pitcher Tomoyuki Sugano, catcher Gary Sanchez and outfielder Tyler O’Neill, but none of those are likely to change the balance of the division.
Flaherty would be a fit as the Orioles need a top-of-the-rotation arm. Zach Eflin and Grayson Rodriguez are expected to be the top two starters in Baltimore as the Orioles rotation could be a weakness. If he can build on his 2024 performance, Flaherty would be the pitcher the Orioles need.