Veteran right-hander Jack Flaherty just committed his immediate future to the Detroit Tigers, picking up his player option for the 2026 season. That $20 million deal keeps him in Detroit for a third straight year.
It’s a move that brings some stability for both Flaherty and the team, especially after a year filled with ups and downs and a lot of talk about his mechanics. This choice also shapes the Tigers’ rotation for the next couple seasons.
Flaherty Commits to Detroit for 2026
On November 4, barely two days before the contract option deadline, Flaherty decided to stick with the sure thing instead of diving into free agency. His original two-year, $35 million contract—signed back in February 2025—had a twist: a $10 million player option for 2026, but that doubled to $20 million if he hit 15 starts.
He made those starts, so he locked in the bigger payday and another year in Detroit. By staying, Flaherty sets himself up to hit free agency after 2026, sidestepping any qualifying offer drama that could mess with his market value.
Performance Review: Ups and Downs in 2025
Flaherty’s 2025 season? Honestly, kind of a mixed bag. He took the mound for 31 starts, racking up 161 innings with a 4.64 ERA, 59 walks, and 188 strikeouts.
That ERA ranked him 44th out of 53 qualified pitchers—not exactly his best work, especially compared to his 2.95 ERA in 2024. Some advanced numbers, like his expected ERA at 4.03, hint he pitched a bit better than the surface stats show.
Still, people noticed his walk rate ticked up, strikeouts dipped, and his lower-body mechanics seemed off. That rhythm and drive he had in 2024 just weren’t always there this time around.
Why Flaherty’s Decision Makes Sense
For Flaherty, opting in feels like a smart, maybe a little cautious, move. The pitching market’s unpredictable, and with that higher ERA on his stat line, he’d probably face some doubts in free agency.
Staying put gives him a shot to fix his mechanics and rebuild his numbers. Plus, he avoids the whole qualifying offer mess—no draft-pick compensation attached, which can scare teams off.
Impact on the Tigers’ Rotation
Flaherty’s return really locks in Detroit’s 2026 rotation. Here’s how it looks right now:
- Jack Flaherty – Brings experience and a postseason track record
- Tarik Skubal – The rising ace with serious strikeout stuff
- Casey Mize – Former top pick, still trying to stay healthy for a full year
- Reese Olson – Steady, reliable, not flashy but solid
- Troy Melton – Young arm with potential, maybe he breaks through
It’s a blend of veteran know-how and young talent. If these guys can stay on the field, Detroit could make some noise in the AL Central.
What to Watch Moving Forward
People will watch Flaherty closely in 2026. The main things to keep an eye on:
- Can he clean up his lower-body mechanics and find better command?
- Will he walk fewer batters and avoid those frustrating long innings?
- Does he get his strikeouts back up near his best years?
- Most importantly, can he stay healthy and give the rotation some stability?
The Tigers hope Flaherty can get back to his 2024 form, when his command and balance made him one of the most efficient starters around. If he pulls that off, this contract could end up looking like a bargain.
The Bottom Line
Jack Flaherty’s choice to stick with the Detroit Tigers for 2026 looks like a calculated bet on himself. Sure, that $20 million salary locks in some serious financial security.
But maybe the real upside is what happens if he turns those recent mechanical tweaks into actual results on the mound. For Detroit, keeping an experienced pitcher in the rotation brings some much-needed stability.
This rotation’s been the difference between chasing a playoff spot and just drifting through another season. Flaherty’s got his contract sorted for now, so there’s really just one thing left for him to prove: that his best pitching is still in front of him.
Here is the source article for this story: Jack Flaherty exercises $20 million player option to stay with Detroit Tigers in 2026
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