Blue Jays free agent target signs with Detroit

The contract guarantees Flaherty $35 million over the next two years. It is front-loaded and includes an opt-out after 2025. Flaherty will earn at least $10 million in 2026, with the potential for that figure to double if he makes 15 starts that season.

Flaherty returns to the Tigers, the team where he broke through last year before being traded to the Dodgers at the deadline. Prior to that, he spent 6 1/2 seasons with the St. Louis Cardinals and a half-season with the Baltimore Orioles in 2023.

The Blue Jays had some interest in Flaherty over the last few months as they looked to bolster their pitching staff, but once they acquired Max Scherzer, a Flaherty signing became unlikely.

Before the trade to Los Angeles, Flaherty had a strong run with Detroit, posting a 7-5 record with a 2.93 ERA and 133 strikeouts in 106.2 innings across 18 starts. He continued his success with the Dodgers, going 6-2 in 10 games, and ultimately winning his first World Series.

In addition to the Blue Jays, the Cubs, Giants, Mets, Orioles, and Red Sox were also linked to Flaherty. His market developed slowly after initially being projected for a five-year deal, but Flaherty ultimately expressed interest in a shorter-term contract with opt-outs-similar to the one he signed with Detroit.

For his career, Flaherty is 55-41 with a 3.53 ERA. A strikeout machine, he has accumulated 942 strikeouts in 829.2 innings pitched.

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