MLB analyst predicts Jack Flaherty’s return to Orioles unlikely amid free agent rumors

Free agent pitcher Jack Flaherty won’t be returning to the Baltimore Orioles, insider Rich Dubroff of Baltimorebaseball.com believes.

During an appearance on "Foul Territory" published on Thursday, Dubroff discussed how unlikely Jack Flaherty’s return to Baltimore would be given his experience there during the 2023 season.

Dubroff had this to say about the speculation regarding Flaherty to Baltimore:

“I would, actually, kind of be surprised if Flaherty came back to the Orioles. He didn’t have a good time there. He was there for two months, the last two months of ’23 and he didn’t pitch well.”

Dubroff referred to Flaherty’s tenure in Baltimore during the 2023 season. Flaherty had a 1-3 record with a 6.75 ERA in nine appearances. That experience, plus Jack Flaherty’s contract demands, make it unlikely he will return to the Orioles in Dubroff’s opinion.

Dubroff added:

“If he’s asking for a five-year deal, I don't know that’s something that they’re going to be interested in. I think they’d rather go the trade route.”

Flaherty pitched for the Detroit Tigers and Los Angeles Dodgers in 2024, winning the World Series with LA. He went 13-7 with a 3.17 ERA in 28 starts last season.

However, Flaherty posted a 1-1 record with a 7.20 in two starts during the NLCS last season. He then posted an 8.10 ERA in two starts in the World Series against the New York Yankees.

Those numbers likely prompted the Dodgers to pass on re-signing Flaherty this offseason, allowing him to walk in free agency.

Morosi believes Orioles and Jack Flaherty have legitimate interest

Notable insider Jon Morosi believes there is “legitimate interest” between Flaherty and the Orioles. Despite Flaherty’s underwhelming performance in 2023, Morosi claimed on "Hot Stove" on Thursday that the Orioles’ need for another starting pitcher could prompt the two sides to work something out.

In particular, Morosi stated:

“I can confirm there is some legitimate interest and conversation between Jack Flaherty and the Orioles about Flaherty coming back.”

He pointed out that Flaherty’s numbers weren’t as expected in 2023, but Morosi underscored:

“He is a different pitcher now. He had a healthy productive season… between the Tigers and Dodgers.”

Thus, Morosi believes that the Orioles could be convinced that Flaherty is the pitcher they need given his turnaround during the regular season in 2024.

Morosi concluded:

“They (Orioles) need at least one more arm.”

In Morosi’s opinion, the Orioles will attempt to add another big-name pitcher before the start of spring training, naming Dylan Cease as another target of interest for the Orioles. With the opening of camps a few weeks away, the Orioles could make a move sooner rather than later.