Even if the Los Angeles Dodgers aren’t planning to re-sign all of the free agents on their World Series squad, they’ll be paying close attention to where they wind up.
The most turnover seems to be coming in the starting rotation, where two-time All-Star Walker Buehler has already departed for the Boston Red Sox. Shohei Ohtani and Blake Snell will be new additions to that rotation, and there’s little room left over for Jack Flaherty.
Flaherty, 29, was the Dodgers’ marquee trade acquisition at the deadline this past July. He even started Game 1 of the Fall Classic, pitching six strong innings against the New York Yankees.
Now, though, Flaherty is looking to cash in big after a season where he struck out 194 batters in just 162 innings. Could the Southern California native find the most lucrative contract close to home?
Earlier this week, Foul Territory’s Jason Kipnis predicted that Flaherty would sign with the Los Angeles Angels, who finished in last place in 2024 and have been trying desperately to rebuild their roster to compete in the new year.
“I put the Angels,” Kipnis said. “Coming off a ring, I think he can probably get the most money from them. They still need pitching–everybody needs pitching.”
For over a decade now, the Angels have been the team most likely to give a superstar free agent a megadeal when we least expect it. Albert Pujols, Josh Hamilton, Anthony Rendon, and plenty of others have been more than happy to take owner Arte Moreno’s money.
Flaherty couldn’t be faulted for taking the biggest check if it happens to come from the Angels. But for his sake, hopefully they could start winning some games on occasion during his tenure there.
More MLB: Yankees deemed favorites to land $195 million superstar thanks to Cubs’ latest gaffe
