NL Central Team "Checking In" On Free Agent Jack Flaherty

The Pittsburgh Pirates have shown a keen interest in free agent right-handed pitcher Jack Flaherty.

This interest has been reported by Jeff Jones of the Belleville News-Democrat, who noted that the Pirates are eyeing a short-term deal with Flaherty, a pitcher they've previously faced as a division rival.

The Pirates' pursuit of Flaherty aligns with their current need for bolstering their starting pitching lineup.

Another nugget from the morning -- the Pirates are monitoring the market around Jack Flaherty and are interested in bringing him in on a short term deal should he be unable to find a longer commitment.
— Jeff Jones (@jmjones) December 4, 2023

Flaherty, who is 28 years old, has been in the major leagues for seven seasons.

The Pirates' strategy seems to revolve around offering him a shorter-term contract if he doesn't secure a long-term agreement with another team.

After getting dealt to the Baltimore Orioles mid-season, Flaherty did not perform well, recording a 6.75 ERA, 1.67 WHIP, with 42 strikeouts across 34.2 innings and nine appearances.

The Pirates have been relatively quiet in the rumor mill until the news about their interest in Flaherty emerged.

The focus on a short-term agreement suggests that the Pirates are keen on taking a cautious approach in the market, possibly waiting to see how Flaherty's situation develops in the broader context of free agency.

Jim caught up with @jmjones to discuss the Pirates' interest in Jack Flaherty in a bit more depth. https://t.co/5NxYqh8Op2 pic.twitter.com/2CS5kKGAUN
— 𝐍𝐒𝟗 (@NorthShoreNine) December 4, 2023