Jack Flaherty’s journey with the Tigers has taken a turn that’s leaving fans scratching their heads. After a stellar 2024 season in Detroit, where he posted a remarkable 2.95 ERA, Flaherty became the talk of the town and a hot commodity at the trade deadline. The Tigers capitalized on his success, trading him to the Dodgers for a promising haul of prospects.
Despite a slight dip in performance with the Dodgers, Flaherty’s return to Detroit was initially seen as a positive move. However, his subsequent season has been anything but smooth sailing, leading to more questions than answers when he opted to exercise his player option for 2026.
In his early starts this season, there were some red flags, but his last two outings have really cranked up the concern meter. Against the Red Sox, Flaherty lasted just 3 2/3 innings, surrendering two runs on three hits and six walks.
It’s worth noting that his defense didn’t exactly have his back. Then came the game against the Reds, where he couldn’t make it past two innings, giving up six earned runs, all courtesy of home runs.
The Tigers are on the hook for $20 million this season with Flaherty, and cutting their losses might not be an option they’re eager to explore. However, if he continues to falter, a shift to the bullpen could be on the horizon, especially with top prospect Ty Madden waiting in the wings.
Madden, who showed glimpses of his potential in 2024 with 23 innings for the Tigers, was sidelined in 2025 due to a rotator cuff strain. This setback delayed his graduation from prospect status.
During his brief major league stint, he mainly served in long relief, with his standout performance being a five-inning, one-run effort against the Athletics. This spring, he made his return with two starts, totaling 5 2/3 innings and posting a solid 1.59 ERA.
In Triple-A, Madden’s journey has been a bit of a rollercoaster. He had a rocky start, giving up three runs in his first appearance, but since then, he’s managed to keep opponents to two runs or fewer.
Walks have been a bit of a bugbear, appearing sporadically, yet his raw talent remains undeniable. Madden’s potential has kept him firmly planted in the Tigers’ top-30 prospects, despite his injury hiatus.
While the Tigers might not be in a rush to demote Flaherty, the door could open for Madden to step up if Flaherty’s struggles persist. Madden’s chance to shine in the majors might just be around the corner, offering him a real opportunity to showcase his skills on the big stage.