The Baltimore Orioles are reportedly interested in bringing back pitcher Jack Flaherty, despite his struggles during the 2021 season. Flaherty, who began his career with the organization before being traded to the St. Louis Cardinals in 2015, has one year left on his current contract and is set to become a free agent after the 2022 season.
While Flaherty struggled during the 2021 season, posting a 4.64 ERA in 24 starts, the Orioles believe he has the potential to bounce back and regain his form. The team has a history of developing young pitching talent, and they believe Flaherty could benefit from being back with the organization.
According to sources, the Orioles would not hesitate to pursue a reunion with Flaherty if he becomes a free agent after the 2022 season. The team has identified pitching as a major area of need and believes Flaherty could be a key component in their rebuilding efforts.
Flaherty, who is still just 26 years old, has shown flashes of excellence throughout his career. In 2019, he posted a 2.75 ERA and finished fifth in NL Cy Young voting. He followed that up with a strong start to the 2020 season, posting a 2.77 ERA in his first seven starts before a nagging injury derailed his season.
While Flaherty struggled during the 2021 season, he has the potential to be a top-of-the-rotation starter in the future. He has a fastball that can touch 97 mph and a devastating slider that can generate strikeouts. The Orioles believe that if they can help him refine his command and improve his pitch selection, he could be a dominant force on the mound.
If the Orioles do pursue a reunion with Flaherty, they will have some competition. The Cardinals, who traded for Flaherty in 2015 in exchange for pitcher Steve Cishek, will likely also be interested in re-signing him. Flaherty has expressed a desire to stay with the Cardinals, but the team may be hesitant to sign him to a long-term deal after his struggles in 2021.
Ultimately, the decision will come down to Flaherty himself. He must decide if he wants to stay with the Cardinals or explore his options in free agency. If he does become a free agent, the Orioles will be waiting, ready to welcome him back to the organization that gave him his start in professional baseball.
