Photo Credit: Scott Taetsch-USA TODAY Sports

Former First-Round Pick Signs with Tigers on a One-Year Deal

Originally posted on Last Word On Sports
By Matt Graves, Site Manager | Last updated 12/14/23

A former St. Louis Cardinals first-round draft pick has found a new home. The Detroit Tigers and Jack Flaherty are in an agreement on a one-year, $14 million deal, reports Jeff Passan of ESPN. The 28-year-old went 8-9 with a 4.99 ERA and 148 strikeouts, .287 batting average against batters, and a 1.58 WHIP in 144 1/3 innings last season between the Cardinals and Baltimore Orioles. His contract can max out at $15 million, Passan added. There’s also a bonus as close as $1 million in Flaherty makes 30 starts for the Tigers in 2024.

BREAKING: Right-handed starter Jack Flaherty and the Detroit Tigers are in agreement on a one-year, $14 million contract, sources tell ESPN.

— Jeff Passan (@JeffPassan) December 15, 2023

Jack Flaherty Lands In Detroit

The former Cardinals starter was once an aspiring budding ace in the majors before injuries and inconsistencies derailed his trajectory. Flaherty turned in a 3.34 ERA over 151 innings back in 2018, his first full season in the big leagues. He delivered his best season in his young career in 2019, with 196 1/3 innings, a 2.75 ERA, a 29.9% strikeout rate, and a 7.1% walk rate.

The American League East champion Orioles traded for Flaherty back in August. He went 1-3 with a 6.75 ERA in nine games including seven starts with Baltimore. Flaherty is 42-34 with a 3.75 ERA in 131 games with 125 starts. He made the All-MLB second team in 2019 and finished fourth in National League Cy Young voting.

This article first appeared on Last Word On Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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