The Detroit Tigers faced off against the Tampa Bay Rays on Friday, June 20th. They lost in a blowout, falling to the Rays 14-8. The Rays won by so much due to how great they were through the first three innings, and specifically, against Tigers pitcher Jack Flaherty.
But, despite Flaherty putting together a terrible performance, his outing came with massive financial benefits. According to MLB Trade Rumors’ Anthony Franco, upon Flaherty starting in his 15th game of the season for Detroit against the Rays, Flaherty earned a $10 million bonus.
The bonus hit once Flaherty started 15 games for the Tigers this season. His two-year deal he signed in free agency, came after a lackluster free agency, but it held incentives. The incentive that hit for Flaherty against the Rays was reaching his 15th start, which triggered the $10 million bonus that gets tacked on to his $10 million guaranteed salary for 2026.
Now, Flaherty is set to make $20 million in 2026 with the Tigers, barring a trade or other move. But, despite the Tigers’ starter getting a $10 million pay raise, it came on the heels of a terrible outing. While it’s a player option in 2026 for Flaherty, his $20 million total, especially amid his season so far, seems a lot more likely to be picked up now than it was at signing.
In just 2.1 innings pitched, Flaherty allowed six hits, eight earned runs, three walks, and struck out three. His ERA soared to 4.83 on the season, and his record fell to 5-8 despite the Tigers being one of the top teams in all of baseball.
His struggles on the mound have hindered the team’s ability in 2025, and despite that, he made an extra $10 million in 2026 by pitching in his 15th game in 2025. The Tigers hope that his next 15 starts in 2025 go better than his first 15, or at the very least, he can turn things around down the stretch and into the postseason.
