The Los Angeles Dodgers are riding high after their World Series triumph, but change is already in the air for the defending champions. With the addition of Blake Snell on a five-year, $182 million deal, it appears that right-hander Jack Flaherty’s short stint in Los Angeles has come to an end.
Acquired at the trade deadline from the Detroit Tigers, Flaherty played a key role in solidifying the Dodgers’ rotation during the regular season. He posted a combined 13-7 record with a 3.17 ERA in 28 starts, racking up 194 strikeouts across 162 innings pitched. His 3.1 WAR and a WHIP of 1.07 showcased his ability to deliver consistent results when healthy.
Despite these impressive numbers, Flaherty’s postseason performance left much to be desired. Over 22 innings of work in the playoffs, he struggled to a 7.36 ERA, raising doubts about his long-term fit with the team. FanSided’s Katrina Stebbins described Flaherty as the least likely of the Dodgers’ free-agent starters to return, pointing to both his lackluster postseason and the Dodgers’ increasingly crowded rotation.
The Dodgers are well-positioned to move forward without Flaherty. In addition to signing Snell, they’re set to welcome back two major rotation pieces in 2025: Tyler Glasnow and Shohei Ohtani. With Walker Buehler, Julio Urías, and Bobby Miller already anchoring the staff, Flaherty appears to be the odd man out.
While Flaherty expressed his desire to remain with the Dodgers during the team’s World Series celebrations, his brief tenure lacked the pedigree of LA’s other starters. Unlike Buehler, a former Rookie of the Year candidate and first-round draft pick, Flaherty’s arrival was seen as a calculated rental move to bolster depth.
For Flaherty, the offseason presents an opportunity to capitalize on his strong regular season and secure a long-term deal elsewhere. Teams in need of a reliable veteran starter could offer him the stability and role he might not find in Los Angeles.
As the Dodgers prepare for another championship pursuit with an upgraded rotation, Flaherty will likely embark on a new chapter in his career. Though his time in LA was brief, his contributions during the regular season played a part in their World Series journey—one he can build on wherever he lands next.
