The New York Yankees, the first MLB team to reach 50 wins in 2024, are poised to strengthen their roster further with the potential acquisition of Detroit Tigers pitcher Jack Flaherty. Manager Aaron Boone and General Manager Brian Cashman are considering this move as the trade deadline approaches.
Yankees Eyeing Jack Flaherty to Bolster Rotation
FOX Sports’ Deesha Thosar mentioned Flaherty as a potential target for the Yankees. The Tigers, currently holding a 34-39 record and trailing by 11.5 games in the American League Central, may become sellers if they don’t improve soon. Flaherty, on a one-year, $14 million deal, has performed well with a 4-4 record, a 3.01 ERA, a 0.95 WHIP, and 100 strikeouts over 77.2 innings.
Why Flaherty is an Attractive Option for the Yankees
Flaherty’s addition could address workload concerns within the Yankees’ rotation, particularly for rookie Luis Gil, who has a 2.03 ERA through 80 innings but has never pitched more than 108.2 innings in a professional season. Other starters like Marcus Stroman, Carlos Rodón, Nestor Cortes, and Clarke Schmidt also face similar workload limitations.
Thosar pointed out, “The rest of the Yankees rotation is quietly in a similar boat as Gil. Marcus Stroman has thrown 176 innings four times in his career, but Carlos Rodón has only surpassed that mark once (178 IP in 2022), while neither of the remaining healthy starters (Nestor Cortes and Clarke Schmidt) has done it. There are just not a lot of workhorses in the Yankees’ staff to maintain this run when paired with middle-of-the-road expected FIP [Fielding Independent Pitching].”
Yankees’ Urgency to Maintain Their Lead
Despite having the best record in baseball at 51-24 as of June 19, the Yankees’ divisional lead over the Baltimore Orioles is slim at just 2.5 games. The Orioles, fresh off a 101-win season and an AL East title in 2023, have a roster full of young talent and the best farm system in baseball, making them capable of making significant moves at the trade deadline.
With Gerrit Cole set to return and the Orioles close behind, the Yankees recognize the need to add pitching depth. Thosar concluded, “Perhaps right-hander Jack Flaherty is the man for the moment, since he hits free agency in the offseason and the Tigers could be shaping up to be sellers.”
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