DETROIT — Scott Harris, the president of baseball operations for the Detroit Tigers, felt it necessary to trade Jack Flaherty to the Los Angeles Dodgers last summer in exchange for an everyday shortstop and a promising young catching prospect. “Jack truly made an impression during his time with us,” Harris reflected on his decision. “I always hoped that we could bring him back, though I wasn’t certain it would actually happen.”

Flaherty has returned as a free agent, signing a two-year contract worth $35 million that was finalized recently. The right-handed pitcher will receive a $5 million signing bonus, which is set to be paid on February 11, contingent upon the agreement between Major League Baseball and the players’ union. This year, Flaherty’s salary will be $20 million.

The contract also includes a $10 million salary for 2026, which will increase to $20 million if he makes 15 or more starts this season. Additionally, Flaherty has the option to opt out of his contract after this year’s World Series, allowing him to explore free agency once more.

“At 29 years old, he’s eager to return to free agency after having a strong season,” Harris noted. “He’s betting on himself again, much like he did last year, where he excelled and was among the top starters in the league. He believes coming back here will allow him to have another standout year. In structuring the contract, we considered that he’s still young and deserves another opportunity as a free agent.”

If Flaherty is traded during the course of his deal, he would be entitled to a one-time assignment bonus of $500,000. To create space for him on the roster, the Tigers designated right-hander Mason Englert for assignment.

Last season, Flaherty compiled a record of 13-7 and an impressive 3.17 ERA over 28 starts, representing both the Tigers and his hometown Dodgers after being traded on July 30 in exchange for minor league catcher Thayron Liranzo and infielder Trey Sweeney.

“He was just a couple of months away from free agency, and we saw a chance to acquire an everyday shortstop for his entire control period, plus a potential impact switch-hitting catcher who is now recognized as a top 100 prospect,” Harris explained. “Given those circumstances, it was a decision we felt we had to make.”

Before joining the Dodgers, Flaherty posted a record of 7-5 with a 2.95 ERA in 18 starts, before finishing with the Dodgers at 6-2 and a 3.58 ERA. His strikeout rate per nine innings dipped from 11.2 to 9.9 following the trade.

Flaherty played a crucial role in the Dodgers’ World Series triumph over the New York Yankees, pitching five scoreless innings in the series opener before surrendering two runs in the sixth inning. However, he did struggle in Game 5, allowing four runs in just 1 1/3 innings before the Dodgers secured a thrilling 7-6 victory, claiming their second championship in five years.

“I observed some adjustments in his mechanics during the latter part of the season, especially in the playoffs. I noticed a slight truncation in his arm action,” Harris commented. “Earlier in the year, he seemed to have better arm speed when he was with us.”

Flaherty made his Major League debut with the St. Louis Cardinals in 2017 and had his finest season in 2019, concluding with an 11-8 record and a 2.75 ERA, achieving a career-high of 231 strikeouts over a total of 196 1/3 innings pitched.

Unfortunately, he faced challenges in the shortened 2020 season, finishing with a disappointing 4.91 ERA, and struggled with injuries in both 2021 and 2022 before being traded to the Baltimore Orioles during the 2023 season.

After signing a one-year $14 million deal with the Tigers, Flaherty managed to surpass expectations and had an impressive season reminiscent of his earlier performance. “We anticipate he will return to form when he arrives in Lakeland next week,” Harris confirmed.