The Los Angeles Dodgers have made a significant move just before the MLB trade deadline, acquiring starting pitcher Jack Flaherty from the Detroit Tigers. The deal was confirmed by Yahoo Sports’ Russell Dorsey moments before the deadline at 6 p.m. ET on Tuesday.
Flaherty, who previously signed a one-year contract with the Tigers, will now join the Dodgers to bolster their pitching rotation.
In exchange, the Tigers will receive catcher Thayron Liranzo and shortstop Trey Sweeney. Analysts view this trade as favoring the Dodgers, positioning them as the winners of this deal.
Additionally, the Dodgers have secured center fielder Kevin Kiermaier from the Toronto Blue Jays by sending relief pitcher Ryan Yarbrough in return. Kiermaier, a four-time Golden Glove winner, had joined the Blue Jays in 2023 after a decade with the Tampa Bay Rays.
Flaherty has been a standout performer for the Tigers this season, registering 133 strikeouts in over 106 innings with an impressive ERA of 2.95. The 28-year-old pitcher previously played seven seasons with the St. Louis Cardinals before his stint with the Tigers.
These acquisitions by the Dodgers come at a crucial time as star player Shohei Ohtani remains sidelined from pitching due to Tommy John surgery. Despite excelling as a hitter with 30 home runs this season, Ohtani’s absence on the pitching mound, along with other pitching injuries, prompted the Dodgers to strengthen their rotation with the addition of Flaherty.