The first-place Baltimore Orioles arose to make a big deal at the 2023 MLB Trade Deadline. Baltimore acquired starting pitcher Jack Flaherty from the St. Louis Cardinals on Tuesday, hoping to boost its starting rotation.
ESPN’s Jeff Passan reported the move on Tuesday afternoon. “The Baltimore Orioles are finalizing a deal for right-hander Jack Flaherty from the St. Louis Cardinals,” Passan wrote.
The Baltimore Orioles are finalizing a deal for right-hander Jack Flaherty from the St. Louis Cardinals, sources told ESPN.
— Jeff Passan (@JeffPassan) August 1, 2023
He later added further details on who was included in the trade. The Orioles sent two prospects, infielder Cesar Prieto and left-handed pitcher Drew Rom, back to St. Louis.
Cardinals are receiving infielder Cesar Prieto and left-hander Drew Rom from the Orioles in the trade for Jack Flaherty, which is now done.
— Jeff Passan (@JeffPassan) August 1, 2023
Flaherty gained fame in 2019 with the Cardinals, specifically in the second half. The Californian posted the third-lowest ERA in Major League Baseball history in the second half of a season. He recorded an ERA of 0.91, trailing only 2015 NL Cy Young Jake Arrieta and Cardinal legend Bob Gibson.
Since then, though, Flaherty has struggled to return to that form. He’s posted an ERA of 4.91, 3.22, and 4.25 in the last three seasons. This year, Flaherty has posted a 4.43 ERA through 109.2 innings on a dismal Cardinals team.
But perhaps joining a team that’s currently locked into a pennant race will revitalize Jack Flaherty. He will not be short on competition and big moments in the American League East. It seems like the O’s are also bound for the MLB Postseason, barring an unforeseen collapse. So we’ll see if this deal pays dividends and if a new scenery helps Flaherty out.
