Jack Flaherty Cashes In While Tigers’ Season Slips Away

Jack Flaherty officially cashed in this week. When the Tigers starter took the mound for his 15th start of the season, he activated a contract escalator that boosted his deal from $35 million to $45 million—guaranteeing him $20 million in 2026 if he doesn’t opt out, according to USA Today’s Bob Nightengale. 

That might sound like great news for Flaherty. For the Tigers, it’s a little more complicated.

Flaherty’s 2025 line reads like this: 5–10, 4.77 ERA, 1.29 WHIP, and 130 strikeouts in 103 2⁄3 innings—that's 16th in MLB in punchouts but far from ace production. He’s giving length, but lately, batters have tagged him: his recent outings total 16 innings with 11 earned runs and four homers allowed.

Meanwhile, the Tigers' season is careening off track. Detroit has lost 10 of its last 11 games, including a six-game skid and scoring just one run over 20 innings at one point. Their offense (.207 average, .593 OPS) is quietly dropping like a rock

When Detroit signed Flaherty to a two-year deal in the offseason, they were betting on a bounce-back from the former Cardinals ace. For the first month or two, it looked like they hit the jackpot. His fastball was sharp, the breaking stuff had bite, and he was eating innings. But like the rest of the rotation, with the exception of Tarik Skubal, the shine has faded.

Now the question becomes: do the Tigers see Flaherty as part of their future? Or will he opt out this winter in search of one more payday?

For now, Detroit’s on the hook for a hefty raise and still searching for answers as the standings slip further away.