MLB Rumors: Jack Flaherty might sign a $100 million contract with a competitor of the Los Angeles Dodgers.

MLB Rumors: Jack Flaherty might sign a $100 million contract with a competitor of the Los Angeles Dodgers.

Despite his significant contribution to the Los Angeles Dodgers' 2024 World Series run, Jack Flaherty is still a free agent hoping to join the organization in 2025. However, it is anticipated that Flaherty will eventually sign with his next team, since one of the Dodgers' primary rivals is attempting to sign the 29-year-old to a significant long-term contract. Spring Training starts in less than a month.

According to ESPN MLB expert David Schoenfield, Flaherty will sign a five-year, $115 million contract with the Los Angeles Angels. 

With Flaherty joining their rotation right soon and stealing him away from the Dodgers, the Angels will undoubtedly benefit from any talent infusion they can receive.

With a 69-93 record at the end of the previous season, the Angels were last in the AL West. In an effort to continue adding quality to their roster, they signed Yusei Kikuchi earlier in the summer. Even though Flaherty's signing would be beneficial, it might not be sufficient given where they're coming from.

Flaherty, who divided time between the Detroit Tigers and the Dodgers, had a strong 2024 regular season. 

He finished with a 3.17 ERA (3.3 WAR, according to Fangraphs) after having an ERA of 2.95 in 106.2 innings of work with the Tigers and then a strong 3.58 ERA in 10 starts on the West Coast.

Although Flaherty's postseason performances may raise concerns, the Angels' primary focus should be making the playoffs in the first place, and Flaherty will be a huge asset to them in achieving that objective.

The Angels could win if the Dodgers lose.

Would the Dodgers' loss of Jack Flaherty in free agency even be considered a loss at this point?

This year's free agency brought them even more quality, adding Blake Snell and Roki Sasaki to their already full rotation. It is only just that the Dodgers release some of their players at this time so that other clubs, like the Angels, can get better.

Flaherty and Yusei Kikuchi would be the Angels' co-ace because of how small their starting lineup is. Kyle Hendricks should round out the rotation with a steady hand, while Jose Soriano and Tyler Anderson are reliable back-of-the-rotation players.