Returning to the Detoit Tigers on a two-year, $35 million contract is Jack Flaherty.

Returning to the Detoit Tigers on a two-year, $35 million contract is Jack Flaherty.

On social media, Jack Flaherty has been making strong hints that he was prepared to sign a deal this offseason. A club that already knew Flaherty granted him his request on Sunday.

With the agreement, Flaherty rejoins the Tigers, who also signed him as a free agent last offseason, agreeing to a $14 million, one-year contract. Before being traded to the Los Angeles Dodgers in late July, the right-hander had a 7-5 record and a 2.95 ERA across 18 starts.

Trey Sweeney, the Detroit shortstop who is expected to start at that position this season, was among those returning from Los Angeles. 

Flaherty proceeded to have a successful season with the Dodgers after the trade, finishing 6-2 in his ten regular-season starts before faltering in the postseason and allowing 18 earned runs in 22.0 innings.

Nevertheless, Flaherty was a sought-after arm this offseason in spite of the difficult October. He has now joined Detroit's revamped rotation, which also features fellow veteran Alex Cobb, who signed a one-year contract in December, and American League Cy Young winner Tarik Skubal.

The Tigers have been active this winter, both in terms of upgrading the lineup and pitching, following their late-season drive to secure a postseason berth in 2024. 

Gleyber Torres, who left the New York Yankees to take over at second base in Detroit, signed to a one-year contract in December.

According to reports, the Tigers are still in the running for Alex Bregman, a free agent third baseman.

After seven seasons with the St. Louis Cardinals, this will be Flaherty's ninth season in Major League Baseball. Flaherty has been without a home for more than a season since being moved from St. Louis to the Baltimore Orioles at the 2023 trade deadline. 

The Tigers hope Flaherty settles in and helps them make it back to the postseason in 2025 with this agreement.