3 pitchers traded at the MLB trade deadline who could be a Mets free agent match

2) Jack Flaherty

Jack Flaherty was a player the Mets should have paid the price to acquire at the trade deadline. He ended up going to the Los Angeles Dodgers from the Detroit Tigers for a perceived lesser haul. Questions about his health had the New York Yankees balking. Was this one reason why the Mets didn’t pursue harder?

Flaherty dazzled audiences in Detroit by going 7-5 with a 2.95 ERA in 18 starts. Since moving to Hollywood, he has been equally as fantastic. Now 5-1 with a 2.61 ERA in 7 appearances for Los Angeles, he has proven to be the acquisition every team in the market for a starter should’ve paid to get. 

He was from the same mold as Sean Manaea and Luis Severino of guys who settled on one-year contracts hoping to show off their abilities. Unlike some others who did little to help their cause or remained a bit stagnant, Flaherty’s performance should earn him a multi-year deal.

Flaherty turns 29 this October which will have him at a good age to get a couple of seasons on his next contract. The timing couldn’t be more perfect. This is the season fans have been waiting to see since 2019 when he finished fourth in the Cy Young.

Of all the pitchers who signed an affordable one-year deal, Flaherty is the one who might have slipped past the Mets the hardest. He has walked less than 2 batters per 9 and struck out more than 11 per 9. The one thing about him is that if the Mets do sign him, it probably will be the biggest salary they award to a starting pitcher. Consider him a satisfying fallback for Corbin Burnes.

Verdict: Take a chance on a short deal with a high AAV if health is a concern.