3 NY Mets free agent signings to immediately make to jab back at the LA Dodgers

Division Series - Philadelphia Phillies v New York Mets - Game 4
Division Series - Philadelphia Phillies v New York Mets - Game 4 | Jim McIsaac/GettyImages
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3. Jack Flaherty

While his 2024 postseason performance was far from stellar, he still finished the year celebrating a World Series title with the Dodgers—though Mets fans probably enjoyed his Game 5 NLCS struggles. That said, there’s no question the Mets could use a reliable arm like his in their rotation. With uncertainty surrounding the back end of the pitching staff, bringing in a starter who has averaged 153 innings over the past two seasons and appeared to get back to his 2019 form seems like the smart move.

Flaherty, like many pitchers in the league, has had his fair share of injuries, setbacks, and down years. But it was his 2019 brilliance that had teams like the Tigers and Dodgers hoping for a resurgence in 2024—and, to their credit, he delivered. Flaherty posted a solid 3.17 ERA, a 1.07 WHIP, and 194 strikeouts across 28 starts (164 innings) between the two teams. With the Dodgers’ rotation in shambles due to injuries, Flaherty stepped in after his trade from Detroit and went 6-2 through August and September, providing much-needed stability to a battered pitching staff.

Flaherty’s numbers in 2024 weren’t just about his ERA or innings pitched—his underlying metrics also point to a pitcher who can still dominate when healthy. He posted a 30.7% chase rate, a 32.1% whiff rate, and an impressive 5.9% walk rate, all of which are indicators of his ability to control the game from the mound. These are the kinds of numbers that not only show he’s back to his former self but also highlight his effectiveness in key situations. For the Mets, adding someone with his pedigree and recent form could provide the stability and depth they need to make a deep playoff run.

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