The Tigers came close to something special last season, however, the team’s playoff run ended sooner than expected. Now, Jack Flaherty, fresh off signing a $35 million deal to return to Detroit, is looking back at what could have been. For Flaherty, one thing stands out: his cooperation with Tarik Skubal. It was not just related to pitching effectively; it was also about establishing something which could have made a difference when it mattered most.

Flaherty is not one to dwell on the past, however, this one stings a little. He believed in what the team was putting together and after watching the postseason unfold from a distance, he could not help but wonder, what if? The Tigers have a lot to be excited for moving forward, but for Flaherty, last season’s loss still lingers as a missed scope. Now, with a fresh start, he is ready to pick up where he left off.

Jack Flaherty’s ALDS regret

Jack Flaherty did not stop when talking about last year’s Tigers squad. “I thought the combination of me and Tarik Skubal was incredible“, he said on Foul Territory. “I thought to stay in Detroit“. However, his trade to the Orioles left the Tigers relying on younger arms in the postseason. Despite their best approaches, they fell short against the Guardians. But Jack Flaherty thinks the game could have gone distinctively if he had stayed. Before the trade, he posted a 3.58 ERA with a 10.4 K/9 rate in Detroit, establishing a dangerous one-two punch with Skubal.

Detroit’s decision to trade Flaherty was a long-period gamble, bringing in prospects Trey Sweeney and Thayron Liranzo. Sweeney quickly made an effect, with a clutch game-saving catch in September. On the other hand, Liranzo’s breakout in the Arizona Fall League vaulted him in MLB Pipeline’s Top 100. However, in the short-period, the Tigers lost a proven arm when they needed it most. Flaherty went on to dominate for the Dodgers, throwing seven shutout innings in the NLCS and making two World Series starts. His postseason experience could have steadied Detroit’s rotation in October, leaving the question, was the trade worth it?

Detroit’s pitching future

With Jack Flaherty back, the Tigers have a clear plan, establish the team’s rotation around Skubal and their rising young stars. Skubal enhanced as Detroit’s ace last season, finishing with a 2.80 ERA and a career-best 32.9 percent whiff rate. Now, with a total season of Jack Flaherty in the mix, Detroit has the scope to enhance a dominant rotation. The addition of Kenta Maeda and the continued growth of Olson and Manning give the team a powerful base. However, Flaherty brings something the team lacked in the ALDS: veteran experience.

Despite his talent and dominance on the mound, Jack Flaherty has faced significant setbacks due to injuries. In 2021 and 2022, he missed considerable time, limiting his ability to find consistency. The struggles continued in 2023 when a left oblique strain sidelined him for 60 games, and a right shoulder strain landed him on the 10-day Injured List. While his velocity remains a weapon, fluctuating between 93-95 mph, durability concerns have followed him. Even with his ability to deliver in high-pressure moments, these recurring injuries have raised questions about his long-term reliability.

Flaherty’s return gives the Tigers a powerful boost and the scope of their pitching staff is clear. With his veteran experience and Skubal’s enhancement, Detroit is ready for an exciting 2025 season. Can they capitalize on this scope? Stay tuned, because this season is shaping up to be one to watch.