Jack Flaherty’s Decision Brings Clarity to Tigers’ 2026 Rotation

Though having Flaherty opt out and hit the open market again would have instantly freed up $20 million, the assumption from Detroit had to be that he was most likely to be back. While the Tigers may have preferred to have that money to spend elsewhere, they likely are not majorly regretting the deal either.

After a season where the staff was depleted due to various injuries all year, Flaherty along with ace Tarik Skubal was the only pitcher able to make just about every start with 31 appearances this year.

The production though -- while at times completely brilliant -- just did not have the same level of consistency as the first half of the 2024 season before Detroit traded him away at the deadline to the Los Angeles Dodgers.

Flaherty's Overall Season with Tigers Was Complicated

Even though Flaherty was able to make 31 starts, they were certainly not all pretty. Pitching to a 4.64 ERA and recording an American League-leading 15 losses, consistency throughout the year was something the right-hander struggled with.

There was a lot to like though, as Flaherty posted a 1.280 WHIP and 188 strikeouts in 161 innings pitched while staying healthy enough to give his team a chance every fifth day rather than another dreaded bullpen game.

It can be argued that there were times he got unlucky, and if Flaherty can make some minor improvements on mechanics, he should have a great chance to come back next year and have a more successful campaign.

The ceiling of the pitching staff in 2026 may depend on just that. For better or worse, though, at least Detroit can now begin the offseason with a clearer picture of its budget as well as who's in the fold.