the New York Yankees secured their ace, Gerrit Cole, for another four seasons, solidifying a cornerstone of their rotation as they aim to build an elite pitching staff in 2025. But the Bronx Bombers still have work to do, and right-hander Jack Flaherty could be the answer to their search for more firepower on the mound.
Flaherty made a name for himself with a stellar 2024 season, coming through for the Los Angeles Dodgers during the stretch and postseason. He boosted his market value dramatically, potentially landing himself a $100 million contract. MLB Trade Rumors’ Darragh McDonald even projected Flaherty could secure a five-year, $115 million deal with the Yankees this winter, marking him as one of the offseason’s hottest commodities.
“As far as ‘prove-it’ deals go, Flaherty stands as one of the most successful cases in recent memory,” McDonald wrote. “The former first-round pick and top prospect went from one of the National League’s burgeoning young aces to an injury reclamation in a span of just a few years, as shoulder injuries derailed his momentum after a brilliant 2019 campaign.”
At just 29 years old, Flaherty is the youngest top-tier starter on the market and a potential fit for the Yankees’ needs. His 2024 numbers back up the hype: he posted a solid 2.95 ERA with a 32% strikeout rate and a mere 4.6% walk rate in his first 18 starts for the Detroit Tigers. Even after joining the Dodgers, he maintained strong numbers, recording a 3.58 ERA with a 26.1% strikeout rate over 55.1 innings. The potential addition of Flaherty to the Yankees would bring a youthful yet experienced arm, with no qualifying offer attached thanks to his midseason trade.
The Yankees’ interest in Flaherty isn’t new; they reportedly explored a trade for him before he landed with the Dodgers. Concerns over a potential lower back issue at the time led the Yankees to step back from negotiations, as Jon Heyman of the New York Post reported. Despite these hesitations, general manager Brian Cashman expressed regret about missing out on Flaherty, citing the inability to reach a suitable deal with Detroit.
In hindsight, the Yankees’ postseason performance highlighted their rotation needs, and the absence of a pitcher like Flaherty may have tipped the scales. His resurgence in 2024, marked by 194 strikeouts over 162 innings, has reignited belief in his potential. If the Yankees can lock him into a long-term deal, they’d be adding not only a strikeout artist but also a stable and skilled presence to a staff aiming for dominance.
For Cashman, the 2025 rotation could be one of the league’s best if Flaherty joins Cole and a group of promising arms. Flaherty’s consistency, postseason experience, and elite strikeout ability could make all the difference as the Yankees push for a return to title contention.
