The Detroit Tigers made headlines when pitcher Jack Flaherty officially opted into his $20 million contract for the 2026 season. While his return provides an experienced arm in the Tigers rotation, the move is not entirely great news for the club. It’s a calculated business decision by a pitcher whose uneven 2025 season reduced his free-agent value, creating both relief and uncertainty for a team trying to solidify its next step forward.

Flaherty’s deal included a player option that jumped from $10 million to $20 million after he surpassed 15 starts in 2025. By making 31 starts, he easily reached that mark, triggering the escalator clause. But his performance on the mound was far from dominant, making the guaranteed money in Detroit a safer choice than testing the open market. For the

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