A bold move by Flaherty has the baseball world buzzing! The Tigers' right-hander has chosen to stay put, opting into his player option for the 2026 season. But here's where it gets interesting...
Flaherty's decision, announced by the team on Tuesday, was made under a unique contract structure. Originally signed to a two-year deal with a player option for 2026, this contract effectively became a one-year commitment with a potential extension. And the value of that extension? Well, it's a story in itself.
The option, initially valued at $10 million, doubled due to an escalator clause triggered by Flaherty's performance this season. He reached the 15-start threshold, a significant milestone that increased his potential earnings.
However, Flaherty's season was a tale of two halves. While he had some brilliant outings, including a dominant performance against the Blue Jays and a scoreless inning streak against the Astros, there were also outings where he struggled, notably the loss to the Royals. His overall record of 8-15 and a 4.64 ERA might not reflect his true pitching ability, as his FIP (Fielding Independent Pitching) of 3.85 suggests.
Despite the ups and downs, Flaherty's decision to stay with the Tigers provides stability for the team during an offseason that promises changes to the rotation. The Tigers now have a solid core of returning starters, including Flaherty, Skubal, Mize, and Melton, with the potential addition of Urquidy or a veteran starter to bolster the staff.
But here's the part most people miss: Had Flaherty opted out, the Tigers could have offered him a qualifying offer, a significant bump from his contract option. This would have given the Tigers a compensation pick if Flaherty signed elsewhere. However, with Flaherty's decision, the Tigers avoid this potential scenario and keep a key piece of their rotation intact.
And this is where the controversy lies. With Olson injured and Jobe recovering from surgery, the Tigers' rotation depth is a concern. Will the Tigers be able to manage with their current starters, or will they need to make some moves to strengthen their staff?
What do you think? Is Flaherty's decision a smart move for the Tigers, or do they need to make some bold roster changes? Let's discuss in the comments!
