Are the second and first verses the same? As the Baltimore Orioles continue to scout the pitching market ahead of the MLB trade deadline, is a reunion with righty Jack Flaherty in the works?
Anthony Castrovince of MLB.com believes it is. In a list of “12 bold predictions for Tuesday’s Trade Deadline,” he claimed that the Orioles would reach an agreement with the Detroit Tigers to bring Flaherty back to Baltimore.
“It didn’t work with Flaherty last summer, but that doesn’t mean it won’t work now that he’s reasserted himself with the Tigers (2.95 ERA, 143 ERA+),” Castrovince said on the 28th. “Corbin Burnes, Flaherty, Eflin, and Grayson Rodriguez in the playoff rotation, helped by that explosive offense? Sounds great to me! It should go without stating that.
The Orioles have the trade capital to outbid the opposition in the Flaherty sweepstakes.” The Athletic’s Ken Rosenthal stated that Baltimore has not ruled out a reunion with Flaherty.
“Normally, when a rental acquisition underperforms for his new club, that club wants no part of the reunion,” Rosenthal wrote on July 25. “But in the case of Detroit Tigers right-hander Jack Flaherty, the Baltimore Orioles would not rule out trading for him again, according to a source briefed on the team’s thinking.” Flaherty is 7-5 in his 18 starts this season. He’s pitched 106.2 innings, allowing 15 home runs and 133 strikeouts.
Orioles and Tigers Discuss Skubal Trade
No progress will be made on a contract for Flaherty until the Tigers end talks with Tarik Skubal. According to Jon Morosi of MLB Network, Baltimore and Detroit are still working out a deal for the 27-year-old ace.
“I was told this morning that the Tigers and Orioles are still talking about a Tarik Skubal trade,” Morosi told reporters on July 29. “If they’re still talking about it on the eve of the deadline, then it’s a real possibility.” 
According to VegasInsider, Skubal is the AL Cy Young favorite across DraftKings, FanDuel, and BetMGM.
He’s the Tigers’ No. 1 pitcher and one of the top starts in the league. He’s tossed 130 innings in 2024, with 154 strikeouts and a 2.35 ERA.
As long as a deal for Skubal is possible, Flaherty’s reunion with the Orioles should be considered a viable backup plan. Rosenthal: ‘Orioles Are Not Done’ Dealing
After sending Austin Hays to the Philadelphia Phillies and obtaining Zach Eflin from the Tampa Bay Rays, Rosenthal claims Baltimore isn’t done trading.
“The Baltimore Orioles are not done,” Rosenthal wrote on July 27. “They want to add a reliever, preferably left-handed, a right-handed hitting outfielder to replace Austin Hays and yes, maybe another starting pitcher, according to sources briefed on their plans.”
He went on to name a few prospective Orioles candidates, including Flaherty.
“After acquiring Zach Eflin, who is under contract for next season at $18 million, the Orioles are not opposed to acquiring a rental starter,” Rosenthal says. “Jack Flaherty, Yusei Kikuchi, Blake Snell, and Frankie Montas all fit within that category. Teams believe Snell will opt out after this season, as long as he is healthy.”
The addition of Eflin helped to stabilize Baltimore’s position at the trade deadline. They were entering the offseason with only three starting pitchers expected for the 2025 Opening Day roster.
Eflin will make his fourth. So, as they attempt to improve their AL East lead, Baltimore can consider rental options without having to worry about the ramifications of free agency.
Flaherty is a likely choice. But only after the Tigers have shut the door on Skubal.
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