Jack Flaherty enjoyed a resurgence in his career during the 2024 season, wherein he split his time between the Detroit Tigers and the Los Angeles Dodgers. Across 28 starts, he recorded a commendable 3.17 ERA and 3.47 FIP, amassing 162 innings pitched. While his postseason performance was inconsistent, he secured a World Series title with the Dodgers, a team he has long supported as a fan. At just 29 years old, Flaherty finds himself in a unique situation, as he is ineligible for a qualifying offer due to being traded midseason. Consequently, any team that signs him will not need to forfeit draft compensation.

Flaherty's track record reveals a mixed performance history. After finishing fourth in the NL Cy Young Award voting while with the St. Louis Cardinals in 2019, he has faced significant challenges with injuries and consistency from 2020 to 2023. During that period, he accumulated only 299 innings pitched, posting a 4.42 ERA while playing for both the Cardinals and the Baltimore Orioles. Despite his impressive capabilities during his best moments, the right-hander remains a question mark heading into the offseason. Initial predictions from Bleacher Report suggested Flaherty could land a three-year, $60 million deal with an opt-out clause after the 2026 season. As the offseason progresses, the outlook for such a contract remains uncertain. Meanwhile, as the market begins to tighten, several teams are competing for starting pitcher talent.

The Dodgers, having signed Blake Snell, are expected to turn elsewhere with their rotation depth featuring returning pitchers such as Shohei Ohtani, Tyler Glasnow, Tony Gonsolin, and Dustin May, all coming back from injuries. Teams in critical need of starting pitching, like the Miami Marlins and the Chicago White Sox, may also be hesitant to invest significantly in Flaherty despite potential price reductions. This situation implies that the remaining suitors for Flaherty could be limited or that an unexpected team might emerge from the shadows. The following analysis highlights six potential teams that could vie for Flaherty's services in the near future.