According to reports, Los Angeles Dodgers free agent pitcher Jack Flaherty could sign with the San Diego Padres.
According to MLB Network’s Jon Morosi, while he would be “surprised” if Flaherty moved to the Dodgers’ NL West foe considering the fiery postseason series, he also understands the two teams have a lot of respect for each other.
“I’d be a little surprised if [Flaherty] crosses that rubicon in that NL West rivalry [between the Dodgers and Padres], given how intense things got,” Morosi joked. “However, Mike Shildt’s admiration for Jack Flaherty remained. As severe as things became in the playoffs, there is still respect.”
Flaherty had a heated argument with Manny Machado in Game 2 of the National League Division Series after striking him out in the sixth inning. Then, Machado seemed to toss a ball at the Dodgers dugout toward manager Dave Roberts, prompting Flaherty to continue sparring with Machado.
In the end, the Dodgers won the series, and the tension seemed to ease. Flaherty might now end himself on a Padres team in need of starting pitching, since Joe Musgrove is set to miss the entire 2025 season after undergoing Tommy John surgery.
Morosi also added another SoCal squad to the mix.
“Nor can we eliminate another SoCal team, the Angels, who are known to be involved for starting pitching as well,” Morosi told reporters.
The Angels recently signed Yusei Kikuchi to a three-year, $63 million contract. However, they could still attempt to add another top-tier starter to a squad in severe need of pitching assistance.
Of course, the incumbent Dodgers still appear to be in the running. The Dodgers are looking for one of the top starting pitchers on the market, either Corbin Burnes, Max Fried, or Blake Snell. However, if they miss out on those men, Flaherty would be a strong backup.
Flaherty had a rebound season in 2024, going 7-5 with a 2.95 ERA in 18 starts for the Detroit Tigers before being sold to the Dodgers at the deadline, where he went 6-2 with a 3.58 ERA in 10 starts.
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