Dodgers project superstar to earn $60 million when signing blockbuster deal

The Los Angeles Dodgers are still at the top of the Major League Baseball world, but the work is about to begin to become World Series champions again.

If anything could stop the Dodgers from winning the championship, it would be the starting pitching. More Dodgers starters have been injured this season than most teams overall, but Los Angeles has been able to survive thanks in large part to a huge increase in the trade deadline.

Jack Flaherty, whom the Dodgers traded to the Detroit Tigers in July, played a critical role in Los Angeles’ championship run, even starting Game 1 of the World Series and pitching well. Flaherty is now set to become a free agent, and as a Southern California native, he has expressed his desire to remain in the city.

Zach Pressnell sees the Dodgers granting his Flaherty wish. He predicted that the veteran right-hander would re-sign He and his hometown team are heading into free agency this winter.

“Jack Flaherty was acquired at the trade deadline by the Dodgers, whom he helped win the World Series. At the championship parade, Flaherty expressed his desire to return to Los Angeles,” Pressnell said.

“Los Angeles wants Flaherty back, and Flaherty wants to come back. “Flaherty is returning to Los Angeles on a two- or three-year deal.”

It’s been a tremendous bounce-back season for Flaherty after the 29-year-old was only able to secure a one-year deal with the Tigers last winter. He had 194 strikeouts in 162 innings during the regular season and stabilized a Dodgers rotation that had been decimated by injuries at the trade deadline.

Flaherty could earn a much larger salary this winter than he did last year, so part of the equation could be whether the Dodgers can attract more coveted free agents on both sides of the ball. His latest contract is for three years and $60 million, with Jim Bowden of The Athletic.

Other teams will have their say, and the Dodgers have a long list of starters returning from injury next spring. But practicing his pitching is never a bad idea, so don’t be surprised if Flaherty returns in Dodger blue in spring training.

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