The National League West-leading Los Angeles Dodgers made a major move to upgrade their rotation just before Tuesday’s trade deadline passed, acquiring right-hander Jack Flaherty from the Detroit Tigers.
Los Angeles sent catcher Thayron Liranzo and infielder Trey Sweeney, both minor leaguers, to Detroit to complete the deal.
Editor’s Picks
2 Related
The Dodgers also reached a deal with the Blue Jays to acquire outfielder Kevin Kiermaier, sending left-hander Ryan Yarbrough to Toronto in the deal. Los Angeles also will receive cash considerations.
The Tigers gave Flaherty a one-year, $14 million contract during the offseason, and he has rebounded nicely after several years of injuries and inconsistent performances. He’s 7-5 with a 2.95 ERA, 133 strikeouts and just 19 walks in 106⅓ innings.
Among pitchers with at least 100 innings, he ranks fifth in lowest OBP allowed (.255), fifth in strikeout rate (32.0%) and 13th in wOBA allowed.
| Year | Team | Odds | Won WS? |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | Dodgers | +300 | ? |
| 2023 | Braves | +330 | No |
| 2022 | Dodgers/Yankees | +360 | No |
| 2021 | Dodgers | +300 | No |
| 2020 | Dodgers | +355 | Yes |
| 2019 | Astros | +245 | No |
| 2018 | Astros | +485 | No |
| 2017 | Dodgers | +275 | No |
| 2016 | Cubs | +315 | Yes |
| — ESPN BET/SportsOddsHistory.com | |||
Flaherty has thrown five innings or more in all 18 of his starts this season, the longest streak by any Tigers pitcher since Rick Porcello in 2014 (22 starts). No Dodgers pitcher has had as long a streak since 2022.
Los Angeles had a busy deadline, also getting super-utility man Tommy Edman and reliever Michael Kopech as part of a three-team trade Monday. Its rotation has been hit hard by injuries this season, but Tyler Glasnow and Clayton Kershaw returned last week, and Walker Buehler and Bobby Miller are set to return from the injured list soon, as well. Right-hander Yoshinobu Yamamoto remains on the IL with a shoulder injury and no firm return date.
Detroit entered Tuesday seven games back in the AL wild-card race. And while the Tigers opted to hold on to starter Tarik Skubal, they opted to move Flaherty.
Kiermaier, a four-time Gold Glove winner, said last week that he intends to retire at the end of the season.
In his 11th season, he’s batting .195 with four home runs and 18 RBIs in 81 games. He signed a one-year, $10.5 million contract in the offseason with the Blue Jays, who had put the 34-year-old on waivers earlier this month amid his struggles at the plate.
The Dodgers designated right-hander Gus Varland and lefty Nick Ramirez for assignment to make room for Flaherty and Kiermaier.