Surprise Team Joins Red Sox, Dodgers, Others In Jack Flaherty’s Free Agency
Jack Flaherty is one of the bigger wild cards in free agency this winter. He’s coming off an incredible season split between the Detroit Tigers and Los Angeles Dodgers, but he’s still not valued as a true ace in free agency. Still, there are plenty of teams interested in the right-hander this winter. His market includes a reunion with the Dodgers, where Flaherty has voiced his eagerness to return to. The Boston Red Sox, Toronto Blue Jays, New York Yankees, and Tigers all make sense for the veteran righty. ESPN insider Jeff Passan recently touched on Flaherty’s free agency market, noting there’s a new team in the mix. “There’s a chance Flaherty doesn’t reach $100 million, but doing so is enough of a possibility to warrant his inclusion in this tier. He threw 162 innings in
2024, the most he had in five years, and booked a 5-to-1 strikeout-to-walk ratio,” Passan wrote. “If the Washington Nationals decide to spend on an anchor for their rotation, Flaherty could make sense. And the Yankees — who killed a deal for Flaherty at the trade deadline out of concerns about his back — could be in again.”
The Washington Nationals have emerged as a surprise suitor for Flaherty and it makes a ton of sense. Washington has a young core of future stars that are finding their way in the big leagues. Adding Flaherty would give the Nats a bonafide ace that could anchor their rotation for cheaper than the top names on the market. Last offseason, the Orioles added ace Corbin Burnes to anchor their roster of young stars. This offseason, the Nationals could follow that blueprint by signing Flaherty. More MLB: Two ‘Mystery Teams’ Set To Join Yankees, Mets, Others In Juan Soto Sweepstakes
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MLB rumors: Dodgers’ biggest threats to re-sign Teoscar Hernandez emerge
The Los Angeles Dodgers greatly benefited from a one-year contract with Teoscar Hernandez in 2024, and while the team would like to bring him back in 2025, Jeff Passan of ESPN revealed some teams that could make a run to steal his services.
Teoscar Hernandez, outfielder: Hernandez’s desire for a deal of at least three years was only helped by his great division series and World Series performances,” Passan reports. “The Dodgers are the favorites to bring him back where he thrived in 2024. Boston is in. So is Baltimore. And the Yankees want him if Soto doesn’t come back, though he could have already signed by the time New York knows where it stands with Soto. Chances are Hernandez will be one of the first big names off the board.”
It is interesting that Passan mentioned Hernandez could sign before Juan Soto. That could play into the Dodgers’ hands, and they would be smart to try to get something done quickly before a team like the New York Yankees potentially pivots. It is apparent that the Boston Red Sox and Baltimore Orioles are very possible destinations as well. Still, Hernandez had such a great year in Los Angeles, that it would make sense for him to return to the Dodgers in 2025. World Series-winning teams historically retain more of their free agents as well, as the desire to run it back with what worked the year prior is usually strong.
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