Although the Los Angeles Dodgers have plenty of star power, even they needed to add around the trade deadline.
Los Angeles has more talent than any other team in baseball, but injuries have played a major role in the 2024 season. The Dodgers' starting rotation specifically has been bitten by the injury bug, and therefore, the club needed to be active this summer. Even with all of the talent the club has, Los Angeles was one of the more aggressive teams ahead of the trade deadline.
The Dodgers wanted a frontline starter and certainly landed one by acquiring Jack Flaherty in a deal with the Detroit Tigers. Flaherty made 10 starts in the regular season with the Dodgers and was everything the club could've hoped for. Over that stretch, Flaherty logged a 3.58 ERA over 10 starts to go along with a 61-to-19 strikeout-to-walk ratio in 55 1/3 innings pitched.
He provided the Dodgers with some stability at the top of the rotation, but it's unclear if he will stick around with the team once the 2024 season ends. Flaherty will be a free agent and is expected to cash in like a superstar. He has been so dominant this season and is just 28 years old, and because of this, Spotrac is projecting him to receive a deal worth $121 million over six years.
The Dodgers have been the most aggressive teams in baseball recently and seemingly can afford any deal. There certainly is a chance that Flaherty will be back in 2025, but it will be on a much more expensive deal. Hopefully, he is able to help lead the club to a World Series title this season before even entering free agency.
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