The Dodgers secured the services of Jack Flaherty in a dramatic last-minute trade with the Detroit Tigers just before Tuesday’s deadline. Flaherty, a prominent name among this season’s pitching trade prospects, had attracted considerable interest from multiple teams, including the New York Yankees.
According to reports from The Athletic, the Yankees were initially interested in acquiring Flaherty but ultimately decided against pursuing the deal. Their hesitation stemmed from concerns over Flaherty’s medical history. Specifically, his lower back issues were a significant deterrent. Flaherty had missed a start in early July and required two injections over the course of three weeks to manage the pain.
Scott Harris, the Tigers’ president of baseball operations, addressed the situation by stating, “I can’t comment on medical stuff with trades. You would have to ask the other teams. Jack is healthy. If we didn’t trade him, he was going to start for us on Thursday.
Despite these health concerns, Flaherty delivered a stellar performance in July, recording his lowest ERA of the season. He posted a remarkable 1.53 ERA, a notable drop below 2.00 for the first time this year. During that month, Flaherty struck out 18 batters and issued only five walks over 17.2 innings, with opposing hitters struggling against him, averaging just .131.
The Yankees’ reluctance to move forward with Flaherty may have been influenced by past experiences. They had a similar situation with former Dodgers pitcher Frankie Montas, whom they acquired from the Oakland Athletics at the 2022 trade deadline.
Montas, who had been experiencing shoulder tightness before the trade, ultimately decided he was not fit to pitch for the Yankees. His tenure in New York was disappointing, as he managed to pitch only 41 innings, which fell short of expectations for a player acquired at the deadline.
The Yankees’ cautious approach toward Flaherty, given these past issues with injured pitchers, likely contributed to their decision to withdraw from the trade discussions. Their concerns were rooted in the fear that Flaherty might replicate Montas’s disappointing performance, potentially jeopardizing their pitching depth.
For the Dodgers, however, the Yankees’ decision opened the door to acquire a valuable asset for their rotation. Flaherty’s addition is a significant boost for the Dodgers, who have been dealing with struggles in their pitching staff. With the trade now finalized, Los Angeles has bolstered their rotation with a strong arm, which could prove crucial as they push through the remainder of the season.
