Tigers RHP Jack Flaherty picks up $20M player option for 2026

Detroit Tigers right-hander Jack Flaherty exercised his $20 million player option on Tuesday, electing to stick with the club as opposed to possibly becoming a free agent.

Flaherty was initially set to have a $10 million player option when he signed a two-year, $35 million deal with Detroit prior to the season for a second tour of duty with the franchise.

But the option doubled due to Flaherty meeting an escalator clause of 15 starts. Flaherty, 30, made 31 starts this season while going 8-15 with a 4.64 ERA.

Flaherty went 0-1 with a 3.60 ERA in three postseason appearances (two starts). Detroit was eliminated in five games by the Seattle Mariners in the American League Division Series.

If Flaherty hadn't exercised the option, the Tigers could have offered him a one-year qualifying offer of just over $22 million. Flaherty would have become a free agent by turning down that offer.

Flaherty led the AL in losses in 2025 and served up 23 home runs in 161 innings.

Overall, Flaherty is 63-56 with a 3.80 ERA in 190 appearances (184 starts) over nine seasons with the St. Louis Cardinals (2017-23), Baltimore Orioles (2023), Los Angeles Dodgers (2024) and Tigers.

--Field Level Media