The Dodgers swung a major trade with minutes to go before the 2024 MLB Trade Deadline, with the acquisition of Jack Flaherty. Los Angeles nabbed the Burbank native from the Tigers in a three-player trade with the Dodgers. In return, the Tigers received a catching prospect from the Dodgers and a former first-round pick.

The Dodgers’ Return

• SP Jack Flaherty (2.95 ERA, 133 K over 106.2 IP)

The 2023 campaign was a wild one for Jack Flaherty. Flaherty eclipsed the 100-inning marker for the first time in four years, found solid footing in St. Louis, and was traded to a contender last summer. However, his run with the Orioles was mixed. He struck out 42 over 34.2 IP with the O’s but also surrendered seven home runs in Baltimore.

This season, Flaherty has been electric. The 28-year-old struck out 133 before the deal and owned a 0.96 WHIP.

Flaherty doesn’t have an overpowering fastball, at least on paper. He’ll sit in the low to mid-90s with sub-16.0” of IVB. However, it can speed up on hitters, especially with his above-average extension and ability to play it off his slider and other secondary stuff.

Before 2024, Flaherty leaned less on his slider and more on his curveball and cutter. This season, he ditched the cutter and threw the slider more, with more effectiveness and command. His slider has a 38.9% Whiff% rate this season and his knuckle-curve has also seen a jump in misses. It’s led to Flaherty leading the Majors in Whiff% (33.0%) before the deal.

Flaherty is a free agent after this season.

The Tigers’ Return

• C/1B Thayron Liranzo (.220/.344/.356, seven HR, and 22 XBH over 74 G (A+))
• SS Trey Sweeney (.254/.334/.427, 13 HR, and 38 XBH over 96 G (AAA))

Detroit received catcher/first base prospect Thayron Liranzo in the deal. Liranzo broke out with Rancho Cucamonga (A) last season, as he cracked 24 home runs with the Quakes last season and posted a .562 SLG. This season, his numbers are down in a more pitcher-friendly league. Liranzo recorded just a .700 OPS with seven home runs this season with Great Lakes (A+).

Liranzo has plus power in his profile. That’s the draw, here, along with premium bat speed. But as one would expect with power and bat speed, strikeouts are the trade-off. Liranzo struck out 82 times over 74 games this season.

The other piece involved in the deal is Trey Sweeney. Sweeney was a first-round pick by the Yankees in 2021 but was traded to Los Angeles last winter in the deal that sent Jorbit Vivas and Victor Gonzalez to The Bronx.

Sweeney is a power-over-hit batter. The 24-year-old belted 38 extra-base hits in the hitter-friendly Pacific Coast League this season and he can drill mistakes. The issue, though, with Sweeney, is he has a hitch in his swing that makes his swing long. His hit tool future values is average at best.

Analysis

The Dodgers made many moves to shore up their rotation in the offseason. Los Angeles re-signed Clayton Kershaw and brought in Tyler Glasnow and Yoshinobu Yamamoto. The Dodgers recently got Kershaw back. But, Yamamoto is on the 60-day IL, while Bobby Miller floundered and was sent down to the Minors. Walker Buehler is also on the IL.

Los Angeles had a clear need for starting pitching and that was addressed with the Dodgers’ trade for Jack Flaherty. He’s pitched like an ace this season, thanks to strong command and a good feel for his stuff, rather than just overpowering hitters.

As for the Tigers, one could argue this return was overwhelming. However, several potential suitors, the Astros and Guardians, made moves to shore up their rotation in the 24 hours before the deadline.

Detroit did get a solid hitting prospect in Liranzo, who could be an everyday hitter if he continues to steadily develop. Liranzo has the power teams covet, while Sweeney could be a utilityman for the Tigers soon.