Reunion with breakout pitcher allegedly piques the curiosity of the Orioles

Reunion with breakout pitcher allegedly piques the curiosity of the Orioles.

This offseason, the Baltimore Orioles have not yet made an impression. That might soon change.

The Orioles and Jack Flaherty are interested in getting back together, according to Will Sammon and Katie Woo of The Athletic. Earlier in the offseason, according to Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic, the Orioles considered Flaherty as a backup option in case they were unable to keep pitcher Corbin Burnes.

Flaherty and the Orioles have a history together. With a 6.75 ERA and a 1.673 WHIP in 34.2 innings pitched, Flaherty struck out 42 batters with 12 walks, and the Orioles eventually pulled him from the rotation as they attempted to hold onto a postseason berth. The Orioles had acquired Flaherty at the 2023 trade deadline in the hopes that he would solidify the rotation down the stretch.

To restore his value, Flaherty agreed to a one-year, $14 million deal with the Tigers for 2024. In his 162 innings pitched between the Tigers and Dodgers, he struck out 194 batters and walked 38, recording a 3.17 ERA and a 1.068 WHIP. After being traded to the Dodgers, Flaherty earned a World Series ring and went on the open market to find a better offer.

To stay in the AL East, the Orioles must make a move. The Yankees lost outfielder Juan Soto, but New York may have been strengthened by later moves. The Orioles signed outfielder Tyler O’Neill, catcher Gary Sanchez, and pitcher Tomoyuki Sugano, but none of those additions are likely to alter the division’s balance.

The Orioles need a top-of-the-rotation arm, so Flaherty would be a good fit. Given that the Orioles rotation might be a concern, Zach Eflin and Grayson Rodriguez are anticipated to be Baltimore’s top two starters. Flaherty would be the pitcher the Orioles need if he could improve on his 2024 performance.