Jack Flaherty Opts Into $20M Tigers Contract for 2026

Detroit Tigers fans can finally exhale—Jack Flaherty’s not going anywhere. The veteran right-hander just exercised his player option, locking himself in with Detroit through the 2026 season.

This move shores up the Tigers’ starting rotation and shows Flaherty’s all-in on the team’s playoff ambitions. After a roller-coaster 2025, his decision means manager A.J. Hinch keeps a proven arm next to ace Tarik Skubal as Detroit chases a third straight postseason run.

Flaherty Secures His Future in Detroit

Flaherty’s choice came with a big payday. Thanks to an escalator clause that kicked in after he made more than 15 starts in 2025, his salary jumps from $10 million to a cool $20 million next year.

That’s a hefty reward built into his two-year deal, inked when he rejoined Detroit last offseason. The bump reflects his ability to stay on the mound, even if his results haven’t always been spotless.

A Journey Back to the Tigers

Flaherty’s road back to Detroit wasn’t exactly straight. He opened 2024 with the Tigers, got shipped to the Dodgers midseason, and helped them snag a World Series title over the Yankees.

Then, in the following offseason, he chose to return to Detroit. Now, the franchise seems set on chasing more than just fleeting success.

A Mixed Bag in 2025

Flaherty gave the Tigers plenty of innings, but the results were uneven. Over 31 starts, he put up a 4.64 ERA and a 1.28 WHIP, which points to some command issues and trouble in pressure spots.

Still, he kept missing bats, racking up 188 strikeouts—good for ninth in the American League—and averaged 10.5 K’s per nine innings.

Durability Over Dominance

The Tigers leaned on his ability to eat innings, especially in a year when pitching depth vanished across the league. While many arms fell apart, Flaherty’s 31 starts helped keep Detroit’s rotation steady and the bullpen from burning out.

With him sticking around, the Tigers can worry a little less about finding reliable innings in 2026.

Career Highlights and Veteran Presence

Flaherty’s story kicked off when the Cardinals drafted him 34th overall in 2014. He broke out in 2019, finishing fourth in NL Cy Young voting and building a reputation as one of the game’s scariest young starters back then.

Injuries and some ups and downs followed, but he’s still a battle-tested veteran who’s seen both playoff intensity and the everyday grind.

The Rotation Outlook

Heading into 2026, Detroit’s rotation looks anchored by 2024 AL Cy Young Award winner Tarik Skubal and Flaherty’s steady hand. That duo—Skubal’s firepower and Flaherty’s experience—could give the Tigers one of the more balanced top pairs in the league.

• Tarik Skubal – Power lefty, reigning Cy Young winner
• Jack Flaherty – Playoff-tested right-hander with strikeout upside
• Young depth arms poised for growth in supporting roles

Looking Ahead

Detroit’s aiming high: they want a third straight playoff ticket. With Flaherty opting in, the rotation’s core stays intact.

Now, the front office can shift its attention to other needs—maybe shoring up the bullpen, tightening up the defense, or hunting for another bat or two. Should be an interesting winter in the Motor City.

Final Thoughts

Flaherty’s decision to stay isn’t just about money. It shows he believes in the Tigers’ shot at competing right now.

He’s 30. He’s experienced both Cy Young-level highs and frustrating stretches where he just couldn’t find his groove.

The 2026 season feels like a chance to reset. Maybe he won’t have to carry the ace label, but he could settle in as a steady veteran who helps guide the team through the grind.

Tigers fans get another year with a familiar face on the mound. There’s something comforting about that, honestly.

Will he finally turn those flashes of brilliance into something more consistent? That’s the big question as the Tigers chase another shot at a title.

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