MLB Trade Rumors: Frontrunner Named For Top Pitching Trade Candidate Jack Flaherty

Aside from Tarik Skubal and possibly Garrett Crochet—and it's possible neither of them will get dealt—Jack Flaherty is clearly the best starting pitcher on the trade market.

He appears to be back to his Cy Young candidate self, with a 2.95 ERA, a 0.95 WHIP, and an incredible 133:19 strikeout-to-walk ratio in 106.2 innings. That's 11.2 K/9.

The Detroit Tigers are in sell mode, and it appears, according to insider Jon Morosi, that the Houston Astros are the frontrunners to land Flaherty.

The Astros and Tigers have discussed a deal involving Jack Flaherty, per @jonmorosi pic.twitter.com/tmX3t07KxN
— B/R Walk-Off (@BRWalkoff) July 26, 2024

Morosi reports that his sources tell him that the Tigers and Astros are currently in "dialogue" about the ace right-hander.

Flaherty signed a one-year, $14 million contract with the Tigers last offseason, and that "prove it" deal has worked out tremendously well for both sides.

As for the Astros, they've recently moved back into first place in the AL West for the first time this season, and could certainly use another ace-like arm for their rotation. Justin Verlander has only been back for 10 starts, and hasn't quite hit his top level, while Framber Valdez is having a decent, though not exceptional season.